A LUYANG landowner and government body risk becoming RM1,000 poorer for allowing the greenery growing on their respective properties to become a source of frustration to the public.
A spokeswoman for the City Hall’s (DBKK) Landscaping Department said this was the maximum fine which could be imposed, under the Local Government Ordinance 1961 (Amendment 2000), if they were found guilty in court.
“Alternatively, where the landowner is concerned, the magistrate may require him/ her to serve up to six months behind bars for failing to tend to the greenery on the undeveloped property,” she said.
“In the worst case scenario, he/ she could be slapped with both a fine and jail-term.”
She was responding to feedback about the jungle which had sprung up behind an empty building, off Lorong Pokok Tepus, and the overgrown branches of the trees growing on the periphery of some vacant land, off Mile 3½ Jalan Tuaran.
“Some of those staying near the former road came to us with their concerns about the potential health and fire hazards posed by the tall trees and weeds thriving on the property.
“Many of the trees were no longer upright. They had begun leaning towards the houses nearby. Some of their branches had also apparently grown so long that they extended into the neighbouring yards.”
On top of this, a few homeowners harboured misgivings about dangerous reptiles forming habitats among the undergrowth on the land, according to her.
“We were made to understand that the building used to serve as a kindergarten which had since relocated elsewhere.”
In the case of the goings-on at Mile 3½ Jalan Tuaran, the spokeswoman said a Likas driver decried the long branches of the trees around the undeveloped property as being hazardous to vehicle-owners.
“The branches apparently obstructed the view of motorists, making it difficult for them to manoeuvre around the bends in the road, including the one near the junction to Maya condominium and the Methodist church in the area.”
She said staff with City Hall’s “Unit Kacau Ganggu (Nuisance Unit)” confirmed that the claims from these different members of the public were not unfounded.
“Two inspections were made of the lot with the unoccupied building on Lorong Pokok Tepus over a span of 12 days,” she said.
“On the day that the second check was carried out, the Unit’s personnel also went to Mile 3½ Jalan Tuaran.”
She said the agency traced ownership of the undeveloped land in Likas to a government body.
“The property had been intended as a playground or recreation area of some sort but had not been maintained in some time. The body was reminded to prune the trees and cut the grass regularly, with a notice to this affect handed over to its staff.”
She said a similar document was affixed to the front gate of the land with the vacant building.
“Both parties have been given a chance to fulfil our instructions. Further action will be taken against them, if they fail to comply.
She did not rule out the possibility of this matter being referred to the agency’s Legal Department so that the offender could be taken to court.
“We are presently working with our peers at this Department to begin court proceedings against negligent landowners.”
The spokesman said a final warning, signed by the Mayor, would be given to these errant rate-payers as part of this process.
“They will be notified that their ‘overgrown and unmaintained’ land was an eye sore and source of discomfort to the public in the area due to the presence of pests, including mosquitoes, which might be breeding on their property.
“A seven day grace-period will be given for these individuals to abate this nuisance.
“If they fail to comply, then we will have no choice but to initiate legal action.”
She urged those with vacant land to have their property maintained on a monthly basis so that these undeveloped plots did not become a public nuisance.
