Latest news with #SerembanCityCouncil
The Star
15-07-2025
- The Star
‘Clean up or face legal action'
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.
The Star
14-07-2025
- The Star
Errant Seremban property owners warned to clean up or face court action
OWNERS of abandoned properties here have seven days to clean up after receiving a notice from the Seremban City Council (MBS) or face court action, says Negri Sembilan local government committee chairman J. Arul Kumar. Arul Kumar, who also holds the housing and transport portfolios, said MBS has issued 453 notices so far, and 19 owners have already been hauled to court. "Overall, 306 owners have ignored the notices to clean up their premises. "So, 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 said MBS has decided to take stern action as some of the properties have been abandoned for decades. Apart from being an eyesore, they also posed other hazards. For example, he said, some have become termite-infested and the damage has spread to neighbouring properties. Many also posed health and safety risks, having become hangouts for criminals or lairs for snakes and pests. "When you do not clean up, you are being unfair to others. "So, we have no other option but to act," he said after visiting several abandoned units at Lorong Java near here on Monday (July 140. Arul Kumar said those who fail to comply can be charged under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976 for causing a nuisance. He said some owners had refused to clean up as they know the authorities cannot seize their properties. "They have been diligently paying their quit rent because they know if they don't, we can seize their property. "But these same owners have refused to pay assessment, which has now accumulated into millions of ringgit, because they know the authorities cannot seize the properties even if they default," he said. Arul said MBS may also consider cleaning up some of the properties and billing the owners for the work. "Apart from the court action, the MBS may consider this option. "We have to do this to send a message that we are not taking this lightly anymore," he said, adding that the authorities also faced a challenge in tracing some of the owners. Arul said owners of new properties have also been issued with notices as they, too, have left their properties unattended. "We have cases where the owners have yet to move in but failed to maintain their units. "Action will also be taken against them if they fail to comply," he added.
The Star
26-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Concern over Seremban Forest Heights roundabout plan
The developer of the Forest Heights neighbourhood in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, recently announced plans to construct a roundabout at the Forest Park junction – site of a fatal accident on April 1, last year. The proposal has received approval from Seremban City Council (MBS), with construction costs to be borne by the company. While the roundabout is meant to improve traffic flow into Forest Heights, many residents are uncertain whether this measure adequately addresses the broader safety and congestion issues. Forest Heights comprises a primary school, a college and multiple residential areas. Notably, Taman Dusun Setia, which is accessed via a narrow sloped road, contributes significantly to traffic congestion, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up hours. Vehicles entering and exiting the neighbourhood add to the peak-hour bottlenecks on Persiaran Forest Heights 2. The junction at Taman Dusun Setia is also situated on an incline, posing a serious safety hazard. It is not uncommon to witness drivers attempting to turn left or right without properly yielding to oncoming traffic, leading to several near-misses. Given all this, it is unclear whether a roundabout alone can resolve the existing traffic congestion or improve safety. Without accompanying measures such as traffic lights or better regulation at the Persiaran Forest Heights 2 junction, the situation may worsen or merely shift congestion to another point. A more comprehensive traffic management solution is needed, one that accounts for peak-hour congestion, school zones and the unique road layout of the area. We urge the authorities and the developer to engage with the local community and traffic experts to explore safer and more effective long-term solutions. Public safety and proper traffic regulation must remain the top priorities in all urban planning decisions. Additionally, existing sodium vapour streetlights along Persiaran Forest Heights 2 are dim, making it difficult to see clearly at night. MBS should look into replacing these streetlights with LED lights which are brighter and more energy efficient, which can also lead to long-term cost savings. Michael Ng Forest Heights, Seremban
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Adoption first, not 'shooting spree', says Negri MB on move to reduce stray dog population
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government's decision to check the stray dog problem in Malay majority areas will not lead to widespread culling in these areas, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. The Mentri Besar said authorities would house the strays caught first and allow them to be adopted before destroying those left behind after a certain period. "We will follow the rules already in place. It does not mean we will go on a shooting spree or poison them," he told reporters after presenting outstanding academic awards to schools and students who did well in the recent SPM examination. Aminuddin said relevant agencies would only consider killing dogs that are aggressive, pose a danger to and have bitten humans. "Even that will be in line with the law. We will not be trigger-happy," he said. Aminuddin added that some people were opposing the move. He said he often received news of people bitten by stray dogs. "Some victims, especially younger ones, can be left scarred for life," he said. On April 30, the Negri Sembilan state assembly unanimously agreed to cull stray dogs in predominantly Malay residential areas. Aminuddin said the overpopulation of stray dogs had disrupted residents' daily activities. On May 9, several hundred people held a peaceful gathering in front of Wisma Negri to protest the decision. The gathering, organised by a group representing 40 animal welfare groups from around the country, aimed fro a reversal of the decision and submitted a memorandum and a petition signed by more than 5,000 people. Aminuddin said the Seremban City Council had also allocated a substantial amount of funds to animal groups to help them manage strays but this has not addressed the issue. "After the TNR (trap-neuter-release) process is done, strays are released back in the same area. "This has not resolved the problem as there are thousands of strays and they have become a big problem in predominantly Malay areas," he said. Aminuddin said he would be more than happy if animal welfare groups could assist and ensure captured dogs never return to where they were caught. He also said the groups should know that the directive only covers Malay majority areas.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
N. Sembilan Fast Lane to boost competitiveness, industrial development processes
SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan government is committed to expediting the approval of manufacturing projects, including those in the semiconductor sector, which add value to the state's economy through the Negeri Sembilan Fast Lane initiative. State Industrialisation and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman Teo Kok Seong said the Negeri Sembilan Fast Lane is a streamlined development process that accelerates all stages—from plan pre-approval to construction completion and operational approval—within a shortened timeframe. 'It involves an integrated process covering plan approvals, the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC), and operating licences. Early groundwork has already begun under the Seremban City Council (MBS). 'The criteria (for the fast approval) include the industry being in a planned area with resolved land matters, construction-ready sites, complete infrastructure, and approved reports for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA), and Road Safety Audit (RSA),' he said. Teo (PH–Bahau) said this during the winding-up debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address at the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. He said that the project categories include factories, workshops, warehouses, private facilities such as schools and hospitals, and petrol stations. Meanwhile, regarding the innovative port project (Container AI Port) in Port Dickson, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said that approval to construct the jetty on the seabed was granted on March 19. 'In this regard, the approved area must be gazetted. At present, the certificate for exemption of survey fees has been approved by the State Land and Mines Office. The Port Dickson District Land Office is submitting a survey request to the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM) before the official approval letter is issued,' said the Sikamat assemblyman. Meanwhile, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman S. Veerapan said the state MADANI Rahmah Sales Programme has recorded sales exceeding RM35 million, benefiting more than 713,000 residents. Veerapan (PH–Repah) said that as of April 29, 466 MADANI Rahmah Sales programmes were hosted across 36 state constituencies, offering discounts of up to 30 per cent on daily essential goods. The sitting adjourned sine dine.
