A popular restaurant in Klang, Berkeley Corner at Taman Berkeley, was demolished by the authorities in an operation last night.

The Klang Land and District Office (PTD), in a statement today, said the demolition work was carried out as the restaurant was built on government land.

“The demolition work was done in collaboration with the Klang Municipal Council (MPK), North Klang district police headquarters, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTGS), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Air Selangor.

“The action was taken in accordance with the Shah Alam High Court order dated July 19 which ruled that the plaintiff had to demolish the building structure on the site within a month, and if the plaintiff failed to do so, it would have to bear the cost of demolition.

“In this regard, the Klang land administrator issued a seven-day notice to the owner on Aug 26 to vacate the site,” the statement said.

It added that due to the owner’s failure and unwillingness to demolish the building and vacate the land, enforcement action had to be taken.

Encroachment and unlawfully occupying government land is an offence under Section 425 of the National Land Code (KTN) 1965, and punishable by a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment of not more than five years or both if convicted.

The restaurant has been in operation since 2000, and on August 2017, the authorities tried to demolish it, but had to cancel after chaos broke out as the public and several non-governmental organisations opposed the move.

A check by Bernama at the site found that demolition work had been carried out at about 10.30 pm and the structure of the restaurant completely torn down by 12.10 am.

Although there was some commotion at the beginning, it was brought under control by the police and the demolition work was carried out smoothly.

Meanwhile, North Klang district police chief ACP Nurulhuda Mohd Salleh said the presence of 170 police officers and personnel helped smoothen the demolition work.

- Bernama