KUCHING, Feb 25: The state government should consider tightening existing laws so that contractors who build illegal structures for landowners can be fined.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Wilfred Yap, who made the suggestion, believed that the imposition of a fine would serve as a deterrent for contractors not to carry out works for parties when approvals for such works had not been obtained.
Such a move would also alleviate the problems of illegal extensions and construction of illegal structures on state land.
In a statement today, Yap said recently he had received many complaints about illegal construction of extensions and encroachment onto state land by irresponsible parties.
As a councillor of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), he said he had on numerous occasions raised this matter in MPP council meetings.
When he went to 7th Mile Bazaar recently, he was alerted of construction activities on a parcel of land.
“The complainant alleged that the said construction works appears to be encroaching onto state land meant to be used as a road and was also being carried out without approval from the relevant authorities,” he said.
Yap hoped the public would cooperate with the relevant authorities by considering the impact their actions would have on others.
“Being responsible and considerate is the key to making sure our actions will not cause a nuisance/problem to others. This will go a long way towards reducing the enforcement workload of the relevant authorities concerned and making our environment more conducive for doing business and living,” he said.
Anyone requiring assistance can call SUPP Public Complaints Bureau’s mobile number at 016-7797688 or 082-246999 or go directly to SUPP’s head office to request for assistance. — DayakDaily
