An Ugly Act By An Ugly Neighbour. (Updated 3/7/08)
The Chinese family living a few doors away had unilaterally decided to cover up the open space of a common wall separating the car porches outside his terraced house without any prior consultation, discussion nor have obtain any consent or agreement from the affected party living next to them.
Leaving all the legal implications aside; to say the least, it now looks like the affected party is being denied of some very basic human rights.
Firstly, 'The Right to Light.' I mean, how can someone just to satisfy his and her own selfish pride just simply cover up a common wall and forcibly deny or deprive the affected party from having sufficient sunlight into the affected party's house? Would you do such a thing?
Again, the affected party is being denied of another very basic human right. 'The Right to Air.' The open air space is actually meant to improve air flow into the houses and consequently better ventilation. With it being blocked now, the hot air is trapped, the hot air cannot escape and ventilation into the house must be pressumably very bad. In short, the affected party is again being forcibly denied and deprived of proper ventilation. Many thanks to this insensitive and selfish Chinese family that lives a few doors away.
Furthermore, the affected party is also being denied of another very basic human right. 'The Right to View.' When the open air space was not covered up, all neighbours have a clear view of each others compound. Now, this view is blocked and the affected party cannot see what is happening outside to the neighbouring houses. Neither, the others can view what is happening inside the affected party's house any longer. Is'nt the affected party is again being forcibly denied and deprived of enjoying this privilege to view? This goes to show just how inconsiderate this so called highly educated Chinese family is.
Is'nt this Chinese family arrogant? Is'nt such an ugly act pure stupidity and selfish? And last but not least, I am of the opinion that this Chinese family is suffering from an attitude problem? Does it also seem to you that this Chinese family have complete disregard for our Country's Building Laws and the MBSA's renovation guidelines and Building By-Laws to say the least? And if I may add, it seems that they have no respect at all for the Authorities in this Country? Is he really that very influential, powerful and can get things done his way without abiding by the Building Laws and By-laws of this Country?
Much worse, with that open air space being completely covered up it will now be a hazzard if there is a fire. Where can the affected party escape if someone intentionally or mischeviously set up a fire at the front door? Who can now notice if a fire is being started? Thinking allowed, is this part of a grand plan to finish the affected party by this powerful Chinese family living a few doors away? You possibly cannot discount it judging by this Chinese family's arrogance, attitude, actions and deeds.
On the other hand, can't the contractor who undertook this job advise this Chinese family that it is actually illegal to seal or cover up that open air space? Mind you, there were neither prior applicaion for permit nor approval for the renovation from MBSA in the first place. But, the contractor dares to proceed with the sealing up of the open space which had been very specifically provided by the Architect and Housing Developer in the first place. The overall housing plan upon submission for approval must in the first place meet with and in compliance with the requirements of the relevant governing Authorities. If so, who is then behind this very powerful contractor? Who can simply change such a very basic building requirement? Or, who are their connections that has empowered them to act above the laws passed by our Country's lawmakers?
MBSA cannot practise selective approval. A lot of concerned parties are watching how MBSA is going to respond to this issue which was lodged just a matter of days ago. Mind you, MBSA is now awarded ISO standards there are steps and procedures to be followed. MBSA have to be firm. Action must be taken and seen to be taken by MBSA immediately to restore the original design of the affected party's house and penalise this arrogant, inconsiderate, insensitive and last but not least selfish Chinese family and the powerful contractor concerned if what they did is deemed illegal and unlawful.
Lets see if justice is done and seen to be done in this case.
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Updated on Tuesday, 1st of July 2008.
A formal complaint had been lodged with MBSA on the 23rd of June 2008 by the affected party.
Two men from MBSA arrived at the Chinese family's house on the afternoon of the 24th instant and it seems that a 14 Day 'Stop Work Order' was given on the same day to this Chinese family. However, renovation work still carried on and the workers did not turned up only since last Friday. But, today the workers are back at work again.
The affected party checked with MBSA yesterday and were told that there were still no permit issued for the renovation yet.
Meanwhile, do you permit your neighbours to do such a thing without consulting you? Do you condone such an action? Do you think that they have gone overboard?
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Updated on Thursday, 3rd of July 2008.
The affected party telephoned MBSA yesterday to follow-up on the progress of their complaint and were told that a MBSA personnel went to the site to view the complaint on Tuesday, the 6th instant.
The MBSA personnel told the Chinese family that the wall had to be demolished. The guy agreed but said that 'the affected party did not allow his workers to go over to demolish the 'cover-up''.
Finally, the affected party was told that MBSA would fix a date and call both parties to attend a meeting and have a date set to demolish the 'cover-up'.
On the 1st instant, a member of the affected party was inside their house. They have to close the windows because they tried to minimise dirtying their house due to the renovation carried out next door. The door bell outside is confirmed working and they are sure that nobody pressed the doorbell on that day. Moreover, MBSA have the contact numbers of the affected party as well. Besides, should'nt MBSA inform the affected party of their intention to visit their site so that they can be present, show MBSA the predicament they are in and allow their grouse to be heard?
On the other hand, the affected party confirm that the Chinese family had not approached them lately to 'demolish' the 'cover-up'. However, the affected party had in the past been approached by the contractor on several occassions and the Chinese family once on plastering the back of their walls. The affected party had turned them down and refused to allow their workers to enter the affected party's compound to carry out their work.
To say the least, is'nt it the right of the affected party not to allow their workers to enter the affected party's compound to carry out any work?
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What a neighbour the affected party is having. Really unlucky to live with such weird characters around. MBSA must take the necessary action to demolish the cover up open air space asap and issue a hefty fine to this Chinese family.
Comment by — 2008/06/27 @ 11:26 PM — (Reply)
Betul betul salah. Saman dia MBSA.
Comment by syed— 2008/06/27 @ 11:28 PM — (Reply)
Are they crazy? How can they do such a thing? Is MBSA going to remain silent and do nothing about it? I always believe MBSA is very strict on illegal erections. They have a reputation on 'demolition'. Common sense will tell you what the Chinese family is doing is grossly insensible and wrong in the first place.
Comment by peggy— 2008/06/28 @ 02:36 PM — (Reply)
They should not simply rush and cover up the wall without talking to the other party next door. By doing so, they are seen to be arrogant, unreasonable, insensitive and uncivilised living in a reputable housing area. Well I guess you find such nuts once in a while. No matter what, I would not want to do things like what they have done and forbade my children from doing so. Action by MBSA to demolish the new wall is most the most transparent action and signal for others to strictly comply with MBSA's building by-laws.
Comment by ron— 2008/06/28 @ 03:52 PM — (Reply)
Ha, Ha, Ha. We still have people who believe in building walls and barriers to baricade themselves. We are now into a borderless world. They must be anti-social and unfriendly people. Just unlucky to be living next to such people. Get the authorities to act. A wrong is a wrong no matter what. They must be sick and out of their mind.
Comment by leong— 2008/06/28 @ 06:21 PM — (Reply)
I feel that no matter what, the already covered section of the commom wall will have to be demolished by MBSA immediately in order to send a strong signal to the people to adhere strictly to the renovation guidelines already set by MBSA. MBSA has to to be seen as transparent and consistent in all their actions and cannot practise selective approval. A 'fine' is necessary in order to deter the family from going overboard in their renovation and have to be punished for not showing any respect to MBSA.
Comment by wong— 2008/06/28 @ 09:50 PM — (Reply)
I managed to locate the place and saw with my own eyes what this
chinese family has done. It not only caused a lot of problems to the affected party but looking at the entire newly built walls from the outside it seriously dent that neighbourliness, pleasant and peace in the surrounding area. That 
chinese family must be thinking that they can act like a Lord. 
minds and
to find such a family here. Others do not build such mighty high walls here. MBSA must take action now. I despise it!
Comment by agnes— 2008/06/29 @ 08:49 AM — (Reply)
It's insane. You can't simply do what you like. You have to respect your neighbour and put yourself into their shoes. If your neighbour were to initiate such an act, is this Chinese family going to keep quiet and accept it? I am sure the answer is 'no'. Jesus said "Love thy neighbours". What do we see here? A very self-centered and egoistic Chinese family that thinks that they are above all and everything. I hope God can forgive them. My frank view is that the covered area have to be demolished and fairness is accorded to the affected family living next door to this ugly wall by MBSA at soon as possible.
Comment by raj— 2008/06/29 @ 10:03 AM — (Reply)
Comment by harun— 2008/06/29 @ 08:23 PM — (Reply)
The family should now take the initiative to demolish the covered area because it is done against MBSA's building regulations. Secondly, they have never sought the approval from his affected neighbour. Thirdly, what was done was without an approved permit from MBSA. As such, who can condone that such an act is just and above the law? A transparent decision from MBSA is vital and should not be delayed any longer.
Comment by gary— 2008/06/30 @ 06:08 PM — (Reply)
Only
with 
minds can do such things. They should be fined by the Authorities and at the same time that cover-up have to be demolished as well. 
to see it in this neighbourhood. 
people, 
mind. Shun them by all means.
Comment by mary— 2008/07/01 @ 09:19 PM — (Reply)
Only an insane mind can do such a thing. They are not showing their displeasure to the affected party but it is the negative signals that they had sent out to the neighbourhood. By doing so they are actually telling the world that they are no good neighbours. They want to be hermits and I am sure they will rear their ugly heads in the neighbourhood very soon. MBSA must take action now.
Comment by puspa— 2008/07/01 @ 10:32 PM — (Reply)
It saddens me when I saw the picture. I really cannot believe such an uncivilised act can be done to a neighbour. Jesus said, 'Love Thy Neighbour' and he is just doing the opposite. The affected party have every right to fight for their rights. MBSA, lets have this matter solved at earliest possible.
Comment by voon— 2008/07/02 @ 11:25 AM — (Reply)
They say a picture speaks a thousand words and rightly I have no problem at all imagining this Chinese family after reading this post. I am angered by what I saw and I felt sad for the affected party. Perhaps, the most sensible thing to do is to break down the wall. But no matter what their reputation has been tarnished by such an ugly act. Wonder if they can still carry up their heads in this neighbourhood? They have lost all their goodwill in the neighbourhood.
Comment by joshua— 2008/07/02 @ 12:50 PM — (Reply)
It's certainly not fair to the affected party. As for the Chinese family, my advice is don't 'belok-belok' go straight 'saja' to the point and 'jangan guna sesiapa' to cover your evil ways. I would like to ask the Chinese family to be 'ikhlas' but I don't think that they 'faham' this beautiful quality. 'Jika kelurga ni tak nak, MBSA sila ambil tindakan.'
Comment by siti— 2008/07/03 @ 11:32 AM — (Reply)
If that wall have to be demolished then just do it. Why hold a meeting? Is it necessary? MBSA just go and break it and this will deter others from doing so in future. MBSA go ahead with the action, please. Do not delay any longer.
Comment by aziz— 2008/07/04 @ 03:54 PM — (Reply)
The ugly act of one family tarnishes the reputation of the entire neighbourhood. This location has been enjoying a very good reputation all these while and with this ugly act by an ugly family, it is no different from those with worst reputation. MBSA must demolish it and hopefully the neighbourhood's reputation will not be furher affected.
Comment by syed— 2008/07/05 @ 08:54 AM — (Reply)
This is a real example of how not to do a renovation. If there is a lesson here, it's my hope that everyone will be considerate to their neighbours (a lot of good examples judging from the comments received).
I have taken the liberty to highlight this issue on my website, RenoKu.com.
Comment by Finn@RenoKu— 2008/07/21 @ 02:20 PM — (Reply)
First of all, understandably this family has done something possibly inconsiderate. But you are one fucking racist when you single out the race of the family. Does it matter if they are Chinese, or Malay, or Indian, or dan lain lain?
Secondly, "When the open air space was not covered up, all neighbours have a clear view of each others compound." This is quite ridiculous - why do you want a clear view of other people's compound..? To spy on them?
Comment by ch— 2008/07/21 @ 05:58 PM — (Reply)
CH
I would agree with your comment on why the offending neighbour's race had to be pointed out...which is also clearly unnecessary to this discussion.
However, you could also have pointed that out without being vulgar. I'm sure all the reader's here would agree that vulgarity is just as bad as racism ;-)
Secondly, a clearer view of the compound is better to allow neighbour's to keep an eye on each other's home's for crime. I suppose that you may be too 'engrossed in your life' to do that for your neighbour's, but I would take a quick look out whenever I hear an offending sound. And mind you, I have noticed people attempting to break into a neighbours house before after which a quick shout sent them away.
I guess you justify your comments as you may have the preference to to live in a prison-cell with 5" grilles and thick and bomb-proof walls but rest of us don't think that way.
Besides, what do you propose to do in your porch/garden compound that is so private anyway? Most people that build these high walls will also completely tile up their compounds and garden's and only use it for parking their vehicles.
The reason that houses are built with garden's is for its occupants to relax in the greenery as well as to encourage neighbourhood spirit.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I'm quite sure that you are not a super-star that doesn't want to get caught outdoors in their 'birthday-suit'.
Comment by peter— 2008/07/22 @ 03:50 PM — (Reply)