Family's House Suffers Cracks & Leaks Because Neighbour Won't Stop Unauthorised Renovation
The owner of the damaged house said he lodged complaints with the Seremban City Council (MBS) on several occasions, but the construction did not stop.
By Hizral Faiz Rozeman — 08 Jun 2022, 01:47 PM
A dispute between two neighbours over the unauthorised renovation of a house in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan has gone viral online
Abdul Halim Hassan, who lives next door to the house under construction, said in a press conference yesterday that he has lodged a formal complaint with the Seremban City Council (MBS) over the house in Taman Surian.
The 38-year-old explained that the house is connected to his own home and has been causing many damages since the works began.
However, this is not the first time Halim has lodged a report. His previous report was made on 14 February this year.
The house reportedly started renovation in 2019. Since then, MBS has given three notices to stop construction for unauthorised renovation.
Despite the warnings, the works have not stopped.
The owner of the house also allegedly took down the barricade tape put up by MBS in order to resume the renovation.
Some of the issues that Halim and his family have had to deal with since the renovation started are cracks and leaks in their house, as well as damages on their car and motorcycle
"On 29 March, my wife was shocked to find pieces of bricks on our porch. Our motorcycle side mirrors were also damaged due to the fallen bricks," Halim was quoted as saying by Media Variasi on Monday, 6 June.
"We are lucky to not have been in the area where the bricks fell, usually my children would play over there in the afternoon," he added.
With debris, cement dust, nails, and screws from the works scattered on his lawn, his car tyres were punctured as a result.
Leaks and cracks in certain parts of Halim's home have also emerged, allegedly caused by the construction works.
The owner of the house, however, has allegedly refused to take any responsibility for the damages caused.
Halim said he has even been threatened by the homeowner while he was taking photos and videos of the renovation to submit to MBS.
In a video that has gone viral since its upload on 5 June, Halim and his neighbour can be seen getting into an argument after he had allegedly punched Halim's car windscreen until it cracked.
Watch the incident here:
Following Halim's report, Seremban mayor Datuk Masri Razali said legal action will be taken against the neighbour
"The council is serious about the unauthorised renovation. Any building renovation must get approval from the local council in advance, especially to maintain security and avoid disruption of public order that can trigger the sensitivity of the multi-racial citizens of the city," he said in a statement yesterday, 7 June.
Checks by Harian Metro reporters at the house yesterday found that it has been sealed, once again, by MBS personnel.
Meanwhile, Nilai district police chief Supt Mohd Fazley Ab Rahman said an investigation is underway into the damage inflicted on Halim's vehicle.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the probe is being conducted under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief.
"If convicted, he can be sentenced to not less than one year and not more than five years in prison, or with a fine, or both," he was reported as saying.
