YB SANDREA NG VISITS GUARDHOUSES AT TAMAN PUTRA PERTAMA & MERU VALLEY

IPOH, 6 OCTOBER 2025 – Ipoh City Council (MBI) is committed to ensuring that all construction guardhouses in residential areas is carried out in an orderly, safe manner and in compliance with established guidelines. This step is part of MBI's ongoing efforts to strengthen community safety and ensure that social and physical development in Ipoh City remains livable and sustainable.

The construction of guardhouses under the Gated Community Scheme (non-strata) is encouraged, but subject to official approval and compliance with MBI Guardhouse Guidelines to avoid safety risks and disruptions to public road users.

In this regard, State Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching conducted a site visit to the guardhouses at Taman Putra Pertama and Meru Valley. Also present were MBI Chief WHIP Dato’ Mazlan Abd Rahman, Councillors, MBI Town Planning Deputy Director Jaslina Saidin, as well as representatives from MBI internal departments.

The guidelines for the construction of guardhouses were established to clarify the policies and procedures for guardhouse construction adopted by MBI, provide official information to the public and media regarding approval requirements for and application procedures, and ensure that community safety infrastructure is implemented in an orderly, safe manner and in compliance with the law.

The MBI Guardhouse Construction Guidelines are as follows:

1. Location & Site

 a) Only permitted at the main entrance of the Housing area,

 b) Does not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian traffic,

 c) Minimum distance of 3 metres from the edge of the main road or junction,

 d) Cannot be built on public road reserve without written permission from MBI.

 2. Design & Size

 a) Maximum size: 3m (length) × 3m (width) × 2.5m (height),

 b) Semi-permanent structure using lightweight materials (fibre cement, glass, light steel, or aluminium),

 c) Colour and design must be uniform with the identity of the housing area,

 d) Cannot be used as a commercial space, storage or permanent resting area.

 3. Basic Facilities

 a) Electrical connections are allowed for lighting and fans only,

 b) Electrical connections must be legally certified by TNB,

 c) Construction of toilets, kitchens, or additional permanent structures is not allowed.

 
4. Application & Approval

 a) Applications must be submitted by a registered Residents Association (RA) to the MBI Town Planning Department,

 b) Supporting documents: site plan, proposed building plan, current site photographs and PDRM support letter (if relevant),

 c) Approval is only granted via a Written Permission Letter from MBI.

To date, MBI has received four (4) official applications for the implementation of the Gated Community Scheme and the construction of guardhouses in Taman Kaya, 31400 Ipoh, Taman Megah Pasir Puteh, 31650 Ipoh, Meru Valley Golf & Country Club and Taman Putra Pertama, Ipoh.

However, none of the applications have been approved so far as they do not fully meet the requirements of MBI's guidelines. Among the main factors are the proposed construction on a public road reserve, non-compliance with traffic safety distances, lack of supporting documents, and no official confirmation from authorities such as PDRM.

MBI has also received public complaints regarding the construction of guardhouses without approval in several housing areas, such as Taman Kaya, Taman Pinggiran Pengkalan Bayu, Taman Pulai Mutiara, Taman Klebang Bayu, Lakeside Villa (Sunway City), Taman Klebang Perdana, and others.

Among the frequently received complaints are residents who are not members of the association or who do not pay fees being denied entry by security guards, residents having to open the boom gates themselves in rainy/hot weather, visitors facing difficulty entering the housing area, alternative routes being closed causing longer access to homes, and developers being prevented from carrying out land development work.

Enforcement actions have been taken by MBI since 2018, including demolishing or removing barriers at Anjung Tawas Impiana, Taman Klebang Perdana, Taman Kaya, Taman Pinggiran Pengkalan Bayu and Taman Pulai Mutiara, in accordance with provisions under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).

The Residents Association (RA) is responsible for maintaining the guardhouse in good condition, ensuring no obstruction to public road users, terminating the use of the guardhouse if directed by the Council, and fully bearing the maintenance and operation costs.

The Ipoh City Council supports community efforts to strengthen neighbourhood safety through the construction of guardhouses and implementation of the Gated Community Scheme. However, each initiative must obtain written approval and comply with all established guidelines to safeguard public interest, road user safety and the city's image.

MBI calls on all Residents Associations to consult the Town Planning Department before carrying out any construction of guardhouse to avoid breaking the law or enforcement actions.

The Council will continue to conduct monitoring and engagement sessions with the community to ensure that neighbourhood safety development is implemented in an orderly, lawful and sustainable manner, for the well-being of the residents of Ipoh City.