Controversy is brewing over an unlicensed makeshift funeral parlour at Kampung Pandan, Klang.

In operation for about three years, the funeral parlour is an extension on the exterior wall of an old folks' recreational home at Jalan Telipok in the housing area. It has been operating as usual despite a number of complaints lodged to MPK's Urban Planning Department by local residents. They claim that a funeral parlour should not be allowed to operate in a residential area, the city council however, had stated that the area was in fact a commercial zone. 

Resident Ai Caihong Wun, 35, told StarMetro recently that the residential area is made up of 35 houses along with an old folks' home known as Tien En Dao Tang, and all the residents had objected to the parlour.

Ai said the recreational home was there before the houses were built.

“In mid-2019, residents in the area already objected to the funeral parlour. Uneasiness set in as residents have to see hearses parked opposite their homes and caskets are placed outside. Most of the time Chinese rituals are carried out with loud music during the wake and rites involving the slaughter of chickens are conducted, leaving the road stained with blood,” she added.

Ai, a marketing executive, said residents had been lodging official complaints with the council since mid-2019 but no action has been taken.

In August 2019, resident Norhayati Kasim lodged a report on the makeshift extension over the presence of caskets, the conducting of funeral rites and burning of ceremonial offerings opposite from the houses along Jalan Telipok.

The complaints to the council's Urban Planning and Corporate Communications Departments appear to have fallen on deaf ears and this also troubled the residents, said Jalan Telipok Residents Association president Dr Elangovan Krishnan.

“The council confirmed to residents that the funeral business is unlicensed. Such business has to be in a commercial area. Our area of Kampung Pandan is a residential neighbourhood. Our residents saw council enforcement staff visit the funeral parlour several times but the business continues."

"It is a straightforward case – just shut down the unlicensed business and demolish the illegal extension," he added.

Elangovan said the council keeps giving excuses that it needs a court order to evict the funeral parlour.

Another resident Masmuni Misran, 55, said the council was quick to seize a nasi lemak stall just outside Lorong Telipok 1A some time back for not having a trading licence, but the funeral parlour which causes traffic congestion and affects the resident's well-being is allowed to operate.

S. Amirtharaj, 53, who also lives in the area, said it was insensitive of the council not to act on an illegal business.

“We see incense papers burnt on the road and ash landing on our cars and the car porch of our homes. It has become a nuisance,” he added.

Amirtharaj added he was concerned as children are reluctant to go out of their homes when prayers are being chanted at the parlour, while the womenfolk avoid being on the street in the evenings.

“Our complaints are not heeded, it is blatant disregard by the council. I hope the Housing and Local Government Ministry will look into this matter," said another resident, Chin Chee Chen, 45.

Council secretary Elya Marini Darmin said it had discussed the issue at a few meetings.

“We are aware of the residents' concerns over the funeral parlour. It has been brought up to the Selangor government, including the office of the Menteri Besar.

"We (want the residents to be aware) that the area is a commercial zone and not gazetted as a residential area as they had claimed,” she said.

Elya added that the old folks' home had been around for more than 40 years.

“Early this year, there was an application for planning approval (from the parlour) but the council denied it.

"We are now in the process of opening an investigation paper as the structure went up without approval,” she said.

She added that the council believes it can harmonise the existence of the funeral parlour in the neighbourhood so that it will not cause a nuisance to residents.

“We will not allow the rituals but the selling of caskets can go on,” she said.

StarMetro reached out to the parlour proprietor, who declined to comment.

Reference Links - 
[1] The Star