KUCHING: Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) is set to take stern action against unlicensed advertising and unauthorised structures.
“Under the Local Authorities Ordinance (Advertisement) By Law 2012, no person shall erect or exhibit within the jurisdiction of Kota Samarahan any advertisement without a license issued by the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council.
“The Ordinance stipulates that any advertisement erected, displayed or exhibited on any building, structure or land owned
or maintained by the Council or vested in the Council shall be subject to licence fee,” MPKS chairman Datuk Peter Minos said during a press conference on advertisement and illegal structure at Raia Hotel here on Monday (May 27).
He expressed concern on the indiscriminate installation of unauthorised structures mushrooming in the commercial areas throughout Kota Samarahan jurisdiction.
He said that over the years, MPKS has been tolerant “however, the indiscriminate and disorderly manner in which these structures had been erected without the permission of the council has created an eye-sore which will not reflect well on Kota Samarahan as a beautiful, clean, green and safe municipality.”
He added: “Under the Buildings Ordinance 1994, any person who wishes to erect any building or building structure needs to submit the necessary building plans to the Council and obtain the prior written permission of the Council before any construction work is commenced.”
“The council wishes to remind the public that such kind of operations will continue to be carried out in phases to eventually cover all the commercial areas in the municipality.
“Actions will be taken against the owners or occupiers who flout the law including prosecuting them if they refuse to comply with the statutory provisions enforced by the council,” he added.
On a positive note, Minos commended those who have shown an encouraging response to the call by MPKS in approaching the council first before they make any concrete arrangements or commitments with regards to the renting of premises for operating their businesses.
“These people have had the courtesy to seek the advice of the council on the suitability of the site for their intended business premises, made the necessary applications for licences from MPKS, submitted the required plans, and had only commenced the construction works after having obtained the approval from the council.
“Likewise, where the need for a licence was required by the council’s by-laws, these same people had obtained a valid licence first before they commenced their respective business such as restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries and also, before displaying advertisements in respect of their businesses.”
