Fire Department Raid Uncovers Illegal Rental Rooms for Rohingya Nationals

KLANG: Nine shop-office premises around Jalan Pasar Baru here were raided following the owners’ actions of illegally modifying building space into cramped rental rooms occupied by foreign nationals, particularly Rohingya. 

The raid through Ops Sarang Burung uncovered the tactic of modifying shop-office premises measuring 20 to 75 feet into eight small room units fitted with grilles at the front and back, thus blocking a single staircase which became the only emergency escape route.

Selangor JBPM Director, Datuk Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail stressed that the unapproved modifications created a critical death trap risk.

“The danger of this unapproved dense occupancy is proven through a similar structured fire tragedy on August 12 which claimed two lives (father and son) who were trapped in the bathroom after the exit route was blocked by thick smoke.

“In this operation, notices under Section 8 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) were issued immediately to order the owners to demolish the illegal structures within a period of up to 60 days, or a shorter period for the staircase obstruction,” he said after joining the operation here today.

He said, failure to comply with the notice allows prosecution under Section 58 of the same act which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years for each offence, besides drastic action to close down premises that are at a critical level.

Ops Sarang Burung was implemented through integrated action by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), as well as the Selangor Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) which acted within the scope of their authority over security control, buildings and foreign national management.