‘Clean up or face legal action'
He said the city council has so far issued 453 notices and 19 owners have already been hauled to court.
'Overall, 306 owners have so far ignored the notices to clean up their premises.
'So, just like the 19 already taken to court, the remaining ones may also face legal action,' he said, adding that 147 owners have complied with the notices.
Arul Kumar, who also holds the housing and transport portfolios, said the city council decided to take stern action as some of the properties have been abandoned for decades.
Apart from being an eyesore, he said they have also caused other hazards such as termite infestation, which has damaged nearby properties.
Some of the properties harbour unwanted pests like snakes, while others have become crime spots.
'When you do not clean up, you are being unfair to others. So, we have no other option but to act,' Arul Kumar said after visiting several abandoned units at Lorong Java near here.
Those who fail to comply can be charged under Section 82 of the Local Government Act for causing nuisance.
Some owners have refused to clean up as they know the authorities cannot seize their properties.
'They have been religiously paying their quit rent because they know that if they don't, we can seize their property.
'But they have refused to pay the assessment fee, which has now accumulated into millions of ringgit, because they know the authorities cannot seize the properties even if they defaulted,' he said.
The city council may consider cleaning up some of the properties and bill the owners for it.
'We have to do this to send a message to the public that we will not take this matter lightly anymore,' he said.
Arul Kumar also said authorities have faced difficulties in tracing some of the property owners.
There are also cases of owners of new properties being issued with notices as they too have left their premises unattended.
'These owners have yet to move in but have failed to maintain their units.
'Action will be taken against them if they fail to comply,' he added.
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SEREMBAN: Owners of abandoned properties will have seven days to clean up upon receiving a notice from the Seremban City Council or face court action, says state local government committee chairman J. Arul Kumar. He said the city council has so far issued 453 notices and 19 owners have already been hauled to court. 'Overall, 306 owners have so far ignored the notices to clean up their premises. 'So, just like the 19 already taken to court, the remaining ones may also face legal action,' he said, adding that 147 owners have complied with the notices. Arul Kumar, who also holds the housing and transport portfolios, said the city council decided to take stern action as some of the properties have been abandoned for decades. Apart from being an eyesore, he said they have also caused other hazards such as termite infestation, which has damaged nearby properties. Some of the properties harbour unwanted pests like snakes, while others have become crime spots. 'When you do not clean up, you are being unfair to others. So, we have no other option but to act,' Arul Kumar said after visiting several abandoned units at Lorong Java near here. Those who fail to comply can be charged under Section 82 of the Local Government Act for causing nuisance. Some owners have refused to clean up as they know the authorities cannot seize their properties. 'They have been religiously paying their quit rent because they know that if they don't, we can seize their property. 'But they have refused to pay the assessment fee, which has now accumulated into millions of ringgit, because they know the authorities cannot seize the properties even if they defaulted,' he said. The city council may consider cleaning up some of the properties and bill the owners for it. 'We have to do this to send a message to the public that we will not take this matter lightly anymore,' he said. Arul Kumar also said authorities have faced difficulties in tracing some of the property owners. There are also cases of owners of new properties being issued with notices as they too have left their premises unattended. 'These owners have yet to move in but have failed to maintain their units. 'Action will be taken against them if they fail to comply,' he added.
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