Collapsed Building Constructed Without Permit, MBMB Confirms

The Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) has confirmed that the three-storey building at Jalan Bukit Senjuang, Banda Hilir, which collapsed yesterday afternoon, was constructed without permission from the local authorities. MBMB Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said that this was revealed after he visited the site with several officers and personnel, where one Bangladeshi construction worker lost his life. He said a check revealed that the privately owned company did not submit any construction application to the local authorities. 'Therefore, MBMB has cordoned the area to prevent any further construction and is in the process of imposing a maximum fine of RM50,000 on the building owner under the existing legislation," he said when contacted by the media today. Shadan added that under Section 70 (1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, no one is allowed to erect a structure without prior written permission from the local authorities. "Referring to the merits of the offence, a fine of up to RM50,000 ma y be imposed on those who are non-compliant," he said. He added that his team is also investigating the type of building intended to be constructed and the date it was started, as there were no signs of permits or tenders displayed at the construction site. "We will summon the owner of the building this coming Monday for further investigation," he said. Yesterday, one Bangladeshi worker was killed while two others were injured in the incident. Source: BERNAMA News Agency