KUALA TERENGGANU: The resort building under construction that collapsed on Perhentian Island was constructed illegally during Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020.
Besut district council chairman, Mohd Sukeri Ibrahim stated that the resort's owners had previously applied for building plan approval and planning permission in Aug 2021.
However, the 14th Local Central Committee (OSC) meeting of the council held on Sep 12, 2021, decided to reject the application for various reasons, including the failure to submit a permanent plan.
He said the construction project of the collapsed building was carried out illegally and had no planning permission or building plan approval from the council.
"The resort owners failed to submit and obtain policy approval from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).The rowners also failed to submit a planning permission application from the registered town planners," he said when contacted.
Mohd Sukeri was commenting on the collapse of a three-story building under construction on Perhentian Island yesterday morning.
In this incident, six construction workers of the resort building were saved, while one other worker is feared trapped.
Mohd Sukeri said the council also received technical feedback from the Fire and Rescue Department, which did not approve the architectural plan on Aug 29.
"An investigation found that the construction project of the resort building was done during the implementation of MCO in 2020. The project was undertaken before the planning permission was submitted and approved," he said.
When discussing the possibility of the resort owners had submitted a new application, Mohd Sukeri emphasised that the council had not received a new application as of yesterday.
"The council is in the process of taking action, particularly regarding enforcement notices," he said.