School holidays: Permit needed for setting up tent and roadblocks in residential areas

Aida Aziz 29/05/2023

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By Aida Aziz

TAIPING: Any party that wants to set up a tent in the middle of the road in a residential area needs to obtain a Road Closure Permit from the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) to avoid any issues at the location.

Chairman of the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said that problems often arise during school holidays or during the festive season as a result of unauthorised parties setting up tents in the middle of the road in residential areas.

“The school holiday season is the perfect time for couples who hold a wedding ceremony or hold a prayer ceremony for the Hajj.

“The act of erecting a tent in the middle of the road for the purpose of wedding ceremonies, death ceremonies, tahlil feasts and others is actually an offence under Section 46 (1) (a) of the Roads, Drains & Buildings Act 1974 because the installation of such tents causes obstruction to the flow road traffic,” he said.

He said this when speaking to inaugurate the 2023 Plenary Meeting on Monday.

However, he said, there is flexibility under Section 46 (4) of the same act giving flexibility to erect temporary barriers.

It is to allow celebrations, parties, feasts and so on to be held, with the condition of having to apply for permission from the local authority (PBT).

“This aims to avoid any disharmony in the neighbourhood,” he said.

Meanwhile, when touching on a different issue, he said as many as 1,190 unlicensed advertisements had been taken down by MPT from January to April 2023.

He explained further, the types of advertisements that were taken down were 21 banners, 559 hangings and 610 posters.

“Most of the ads posted are money lending schemes, selling or renting houses, renting vehicles, telco company services and vacant jobs.

“MPT regrets that there are a few traders who put up advertisements at will without following the specified specifications, especially in terms of the use of the national language, size and location,” he said.