Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has served the Chinese Methodist Church Kepong in Taman Sri Bintang its second eviction notice, which gives the church 14 days to move out or “face demolition”.
The issued notices, dated September 9 2013 and February 4 2014, stated the church had violated Section 26 of the Federal Territories (Planning) Act 1982 for changing the land use from insititutional centres (kindergarten) to places of worship (church) without a Development Order.
The deadline carries with it a fine of RM50,000 should the church fail to vacate the grounds, and a further RM500 for each day it is delayed.
According to Pastor Kok Chin Ngin, the church’s committee had applied for a change in the land use with DBKL after receiving the first notice, and expressed surprise that the second eviction notice was issued stating the same reasons.
“We hope DBKL can give us an extension to complete the land use change exercise.
“About 800 worshippers come to our church on a regular basis. If they seal or demolish the building, where are they supposed to go to?” Kok told The Star on Wednesday.
The church has been serving the local community through various initiatives from its current premises since 2000. The church was originally opened in 1984 in a housing estate in Kepong, and moved when the number of its parishioners increased.
Source: The Star Online
