By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: Firm action taken by the Ipoh City Council (MBI) in demolishing illegal hawker stalls, roofed parking structures and unapproved farms built on road reserve land has received positive reactions from netizens on social media.
The issue, which was also highlighted by Ipoh Echo and Peraktastic, drew widespread attention after photos and videos of the integrated enforcement operation were uploaded to Peraktastic’s TikTok platform.
Within two days of being posted, the video reportedly reached nearly 60,000 views, while attracting around 60 comments and almost 100 shares from TikTok users.
Netizens praised MBI’s enforcement for bringing order, cleanliness, and safety to the city, as well as easing traffic congestion due to illegal road reserve structures.
Many social media users also hoped similar operations would continue throughout all areas in Ipoh instead of focusing only on certain locations.
A review of comments on Peraktastic’s TikTok page found that while most netizens supported the operation, many also suggested several other areas allegedly facing similar issues for the attention of local authorities.
Among the comments posted by netizens were:
@Javar Singh: good job, but most of the demolitions seem to be around the Buntong and Taman Risah areas only. Will this be done throughout Ipoh or only in certain areas? Please also help traders by providing bigger and better stalls. Don’t give stalls that look like guard huts or are the size of toilets.
Another user, @mzaidi81, also hoped enforcement would be carried out fairly and comprehensively.
“Don’t do this only in certain areas; make sure it is done everywhere.”
Some netizens also provided information on other locations for authorities to monitor.
@Mathan Motor Enterprise 9914: Behind Chemor police station, food stalls beside houses are causing the roads to become narrow on both sides.
@pokyass: There are farms in Klebang Putra, come and see for yourself… people are farming on every empty plot in the housing area. I’m also frustrated seeing coconut trees and even durian trees being planted there. Those open spaces were meant for recreation and for fresh air to flow into homes, but now they are filled with crops. Some are even planting vegetables. I asked the developer why this illegal activity is happening, and they said the land had already been handed over to the council.
@whyHafiz: In Taman Pengkalan Bandaraya, many people are farming and building structures on road reserve land and around playground areas. Please, local authorities, monitor this immediately.
Through the operation, MBI said the illegal structures involved had previously been issued demolition notices under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), including a 30-day compliance period before demolition action was carried out.
The operation, which began around 9 am, involved about 70 personnel, including police cooperation and was completed around 11 am.
The development reflects growing public support for efforts to improve the city landscape and ensure public facilities and road reserve land are not misused for personal interests.
