Illegal fencing must go, residents told
03/03/2007 The Star By Meera Vijayan

JOHOR BARU: Housing estates that have illegally fenced up their areas must now pull down the structure before Johor Baru City Hall takes action against them.

This is the city hall warning to residents who have illegally created gated communities.

Mayor Datuk Mohd Naim Nasir said it has identified 14 housing estates that have illegal fencing.

“We have issued three notices to three housing estate communities in the last two weeks. We will take action against the other 11 soon.”

He said records showed that none of the 14 housing estates had sought approval before installing the fences.

He warned that the city hall would in future tear down fences without giving notice.

Mohd Naim said this on Tuesday after launching SP Setia Bhd “Road to Charity” drive at Setia Tropika.

He said the council had no choice but to act against offenders as such fences had caused inconvenience to adjoining residential estates.

He said only standalone housing project that is isolated from other residential or business areas would be allowed to have a gated community.

“We know residents put up such fences to ensure their safety and security. However, this is not allowed.

“Alternatively, they should organise a neighbourhood watch like Rukun Tetangga.”

He said any housing estate that set up the neighbourhood watch scheme would be entitled to a RM4,800 subsidy to buy equipment such as torch lights.