KUALA LUMPUR: Imagine having to rent and live out of a room the size of a single mattress, hardly having any space to stand up or stretch yourself.
That was the living condition that some tenants, mostly foreigners, had to endure while renting a "room" at a three-storey shophouse in Jalan Jejaka in Taman Maluri.
The premises were subjected to a joint raid by the Local Government Development Ministry, Fire and Rescue Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
In a statement today, Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the premises raided had been modified to serve as accommodations with a total of 38 small capsule size rooms on the first floor, 19 on the second floor and 17 on the third floor.
"Upon inspection, it was discovered that the premises had been converted into commercial residential units without the necessary fire safety equipment or compliance with the requirements of Section 341 of Fire Services Act 1988.
"The operation and inspection carried out were conducted under Section 38 of the act, which empowers authorised officers to enter any premises for the purpose of inspection to determine whether there is or has been violation of any provisions of Act 341 on the premises, or fire hazard within the premises.
"Actions will be taken to ensure legal and safety provisions are all implemented, failing which the premises owner can be charged in court."
Nor Hisham said, among the actions so far taken by the department was to issue a Fire Hazard Removal Notice (MBK) under Section 8 of the act, with the premises owner given 14 days to comply with the notice or face investigation.
Last Tuesday, it was reported that the rooms were initially built for foreign workers but now it also serves as "home" to university students, e-hailing drivers and food delivery riders who rent the place for between RM200 and RM350 a month.
This rental is inclusive of electricity and water supply.
It was also believed that there was no proper ventilation or windows, which also posed a health and fire risk.
It is learned that all 38 rooms, measuring 126 sq ft per room, were located at a shophouse lot and the room size varied on the second and third floor.
The occupants also shared a common living room, drying area, kitchen and WiFi Internet connection while renting at the premises.