KUCHING: Don’t extend your shoplots illegally. This is the advice of Kuching South City Mayor Datuk James Chan and State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Khirudin Drahman to the public here.
Chan urged the public to submit proper building plans by registered qualified architects to the council for consideration and approval by the council, the planning authority and Bomba before commencing any construction work.
“I appeal to all property owners who want to renovate their shoplots and property to always do things the right way, otherwise they may need to dismantle the illegal extensions at a cost,” he said.
Chan added that failure to do so was not only an offence under the Sarawak Building Ordinance (SBO) 1994 but more importantly, the unauthorised structures or renovations might endanger the lives of the occupants.
He said such extensions had to be certified to be structurally sound and/ safe by a qualified person or persons.
“Once the building plans are approved, structural or construction plans need to be submitted to the council for approval before any construction work can commence,” explained Chan.
Meanwhile, Khirudin pointed out that the Bomba would be involved in the matter if the extension affected the exit routes and boundaries of the shoplots.
“Any changes will affect the fire and rescue requirements as stated clearly in SBO 1994,” he said.
