October 9, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – Some low-cost flats in Johor have been illegally modified to look like terrace houses or standalone structures, complete with their own parking spaces.
From enclosed balconies to makeshift kitchens and storage spaces built over air wells, many of the flats residents are reshaping their units in a way that raises concerns of safety and other issues.
Over time, the various extensions carried out by unit owners have turned into a web of structural, maintenance and safety problems, troubling both residents and management committees (MCs) who find the issue increasingly difficult to control.
Decades-old problem
In Skudai, Norashikin Ali, a clerk for the MC of Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Flats Blocks 45 to 54, said the problem had persisted for decades despite repeated notices and reminders issued to residents who made illegal extensions.
“Some of these extensions existed long before the committee took over more than 20 years ago,” she told StarMetro.
“No action was taken, perhaps even since the developer’s time.
“Because of that, residents grew bold and began constructing illegal extensions, such as installing grilles on every floor, building shelters for their vehicles and extending the front and back of their units.”
Norashikin said the extensions had caused significant problems for the management team, especially when maintenance work was needed.
“When residents extend their units to the back and cover manholes or block drainage access, it becomes difficult for the sewerage company or us to reach clogged pipes.
“The residents complain about odour and flooding, yet refuse to open up the area when repairs are needed,” she said.
Norashikin said a 2010 fire also exposed another danger – iron gates and corridor barriers hindering emergency access.
“That is why the Fire and Rescue Department does not allow such installations.”
She said the MC had issued several rounds of notices this year urging residents to voluntarily remove unauthorised structures.
“Some complied and dismantled their grilles or corridor railings, but only one or two units have completely removed their front and back extensions.
“We sent the first notice earlier this year and since some residents are still ignoring the instructions, we will issue a second one.
“If they remain stubborn, the MC will request enforcement action from Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) this month,” she added.
Block 59 resident Heng Chon Poh, 69, disapproves of the unauthorised renovations.
“Even though I live on the ground floor, I will not build additional structures because it is inconvenient for others.
“Some of them have covered the drains with their extensions, causing bad smells and blockages,” he said.
Heng said although no major incidents had occurred so far, the growing number of locked grilles on every floor was a cause for concern.
“Some residents have brought this up during meetings because of safety concerns.
“If an emergency occurs, it will be hard for rescue teams to get through,” he pointed out.
According to Block 62 MC secretary Chan See Siong, the 87 blocks with 4,089 units were constructed in the 1980s as low-cost private housing in Jalan Hulubalang.
Illegal extensions are common, especially for ground-floor units.
“Many residents extended their units without the local council’s approval.
“However, the committee lacked the power to take legal action,” said Chan.
“It was only after a fire broke out at Block 66, involving four units, that MBIP started to take notice,” he said.
Chan said a town hall meeting was held earlier this year, after which MBIP instructed residents to remove locked corridor grilles across all blocks in stages.
“Some of the residents refused, so MBIP dismantled the illegal extension at other blocks.
“For now, the city council is taking enforcement action gradually, block by block, before reaching ours,” he added.
Additions in Taman Perling
Similar illegal renovations are also seen at the low-cost flats in Jalan Camar 13 of Taman Perling, where several ground-floor units have been converted extensively.
The Jalan Camar 13 flats comprise 11 blocks and 271 units.
Jalan Camar 13 flats resident Mohamad Anuar, 25, said the renovations clearly violated strata laws and were carried out without local authority approval.
“They are not only infringing on others’ rights but also causing inconvenience.
“Their actions affect our daily lives because the modifications block emergency exits and encroach on parking spaces,” he said.
Mohamad said residents had lodged complaints with MBIP, but no action had been taken so far.
“I hope the authorities will act fairly so that every resident’s rights are protected,” he said.
Factory supervisor Wong Kum Wai, 47, who has lived there for 15 years, said the illegal renovations had also affected neighbours with disabilities.
“Some wheelchair users are forced to take longer routes because certain homeowners have taken up communal walkways when constructing their personal parking spaces.
“On top of that, some have converted motorcycle parking spaces into makeshift huts, inconveniencing others,” he said.
Some ground floor unit owners have built shelters for their cars.
Wong said weak enforcement had worsened the situation.
“Residents have filed complaints before, but no action is taken.
“This lack of enforcement has encouraged irresponsible owners to continue with such illegal renovations,” he said.
Sales executive Fatimahtul Zahrah Md Noh, 54, said most of her neighbours began carrying out renovations after living there for five to 10 years.
Apart from violating the law, she said such renovations compromised the building’s structure and changed its overall design.
“On top of parking and emergency exit issues, they have also created other problems,” she said.
“The illegal structures have made the buildings look messy and disorganised.
“It is unsightly because the upper floors still look like flats, yet the ground floor units have been altered to look like landed properties,” Fatimahtul Zahrah said.
She reiterated that such actions were unfair to other residents.