TOWNHALL SESSION WITH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS ON ISSUES OF GATED AND GUARDED HOUSING AREAS FOR ZONE 24, SIMPANG PULAI

IPOH, 5 MAY 2026 – Ipoh City Council (MBI) often received complaints regarding the construction of guardhouses, installation of security barriers or boom gates, as well as the erection of perimeter fences on road reserves, especially in non-strata residential areas within the MBI administrative area. 

The complaints received were not only submitted by the public, but also from residents in the housing areas concerned. Among the issues often raised were obstruction of access to public roads, restrictions on the use of public spaces such as open areas and public facilities, as well as constraints on residents who did not join the residents association. 

In this regard, a townhall session with the residents associations was held today to provide clarification on building enforcement actions under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133). 

The session was also attended by Simpang Pulai Assemblyman Wong Chai Yi, MBI Councillor Clr. Zuraidah Zakaria and representatives from various internal departments of MBI. 

A briefing on enforcement actions was delivered by Development Control (Enforcement and Architecture) Assistant Director Ts. Rabiatul Alia Azmi. The session also included a presentation on the MBI Gated and Guarded Community Scheme Development Guidelines by Town Planning Deputy Director Jaslina Shaidin. 

The Council hopes that this townhall session will provide residents associations with a clearer understanding of the need to comply with laws and guidelines currently in force.

At the same time, residents associations are encouraged to take more proactive steps to obtain approval for existing structures, such as guardhouses, security barriers or boom gates and perimeter fences, in accordance with the legal provisions and procedures that have been established. 

MBI is committed to ensuring that the development of gated and guarded housing areas is carried out in an orderly, safe manner and does not affect the rights and interests of the public.