An RMAF hostel under construction in Tanjung Bunga, Penang, has been the site of another tussle between federal and local authorities.
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This time, according to a source, federal authorities allegedly refused to acknowledge Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) jurisdiction for the proposed hostel, located along Jalan Geh Chong Keat, until last month.
The construction of the hostel for RMAF trainees was carried out without a building plan/building permission approved by the MPPP, said the source.
After receiving complaints from neighbouring residents, the MPPP intervened and stopped work.
After months of inaction, the ministry agreed to abide by MPPP requirements. The building is now already completed and awaiting its OC.
“Clearly this shows how the (local authority) is being disregarded,’” said a source familiar with the problem. He said there are three other cases of similar tussles over jurisdiction namely, the Botanic Garden, and problems in Balik Pulau and Permatang Pauh.
An MPPP councillor explained that under the Town and Country Planning Act, the local authority needs to be consulted about federal projects. And under the Local Government Act, the council is given authority to approve or reject plans.
”I am sure there are other cases of federal projects going ahead without MPPP permission or approvel,” she said, citing the case of an ongoing school project in the Dato Keramat area. “But in the case of schools, we have no heart to adopt a hard line.”
View Larger Map
This time, according to a source, federal authorities allegedly refused to acknowledge Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) jurisdiction for the proposed hostel, located along Jalan Geh Chong Keat, until last month.
The construction of the hostel for RMAF trainees was carried out without a building plan/building permission approved by the MPPP, said the source.
After receiving complaints from neighbouring residents, the MPPP intervened and stopped work.
After months of inaction, the ministry agreed to abide by MPPP requirements. The building is now already completed and awaiting its OC.
“Clearly this shows how the (local authority) is being disregarded,’” said a source familiar with the problem. He said there are three other cases of similar tussles over jurisdiction namely, the Botanic Garden, and problems in Balik Pulau and Permatang Pauh.
An MPPP councillor explained that under the Town and Country Planning Act, the local authority needs to be consulted about federal projects. And under the Local Government Act, the council is given authority to approve or reject plans.
”I am sure there are other cases of federal projects going ahead without MPPP permission or approvel,” she said, citing the case of an ongoing school project in the Dato Keramat area. “But in the case of schools, we have no heart to adopt a hard line.”
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