Friday, September 19, 2008

NST - Streets

Rina's sign of disapproval
K. Harinderan Selayang councillor Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh (second left) directing enforcement officers to tear down posters in Rawang. — Picture by P.C. Lim

SELAYANG: What a moving moment. A wheelchair-bound woman councillor led a team of enforcement officers in a war against illegal signboards here recently.

Gurdip Kaur @ Rina Pritam Singh, a councillor with Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), has started a crackdown on business operators who put up signboards without the council's approvalOver 50 signboards, banners and buntings in Rawang were torn down by 15 enforcement officers during the operation.

"The issue of the many illegal signs around Rawang was discussed at a recent council meeting.

It was decided that those without the required permits and those that did not renew their yearly permits, would have their signs removed," said Gurdip, who is a member of the Town Services, Traffic and Tourism sub-committee.

She added that the signs were also an eyesore and were posing a danger to road users and students of four schools in the area.

"Only last week, a bunting fell on a moving car, covering the driver's view. He could have hit oncoming traffic, or worse, knocked down school children," she said.

Gurdip said errant businesses operators would be fined by the council She said the authorities will regularly monitor and remove illegal signs in 12 commercial and residential areas, including Rawang Tin, Taman Kota Emerald and Bandar Country Homes.

The operation commenced on Sept 8, with notices placed on illegal signs, instructing business owners to remove them, or apply for permits, within three days.

"But few of them heeded the order. So, under Section 5 of Selayang Municipal by-laws, we removed these signs," said Megat Ainun Fadzlil, the MPS deputy enforcement chief for Rawang Zone One and Two,"We will continue to conduct frequent checks on the relevant areas.

"Since last month, 22 billboards were pulled down as the owners did not renew their permits with the council," he added.