Kanesh On Local Government Laws (Volume 3) Street, Drainage and Building Act, 1974

The Street, Drainage and Building Act, 1974 (Act 133) specifies laws to control activities related to streets, drainage, and building in certain regions and aims to provide a uniform system in local authority areas of Malaysia.

This eagerly awaited four-part publication’s volume 3 examines the authority, responsibility, and liability of Local Authorities under the provisions of the Uniform Building By-Laws of 1984 and the Street, Drainage, and Building Act of 1974 (Act 133).

The book offers an extensive analysis of various provisions and by-laws using cases to deconstruct and clarify topics such as upkeep and repair of streets, drains, and sewers; submission and approval of building plans, including illegal constructions; abatement of the nuisance; recovery and enforcements proceedings; and the scope and ambit of immunity conferred upon local authorities, among others.

Local governments, attorneys, engineers, architects, building contractors, developers, and other organizations that deal with issues connected to the construction and control of streets, drainage systems, and structures would find this volume to be of great interest.

About the Author
Author Kanesh Sundrum has been actively practicing law since 1997, focusing on civil litigation involving corporate commercial problems, municipal governments, and statutory agencies. He is the managing partner of Kanesh Sundrum & Co. The author regularly counsels and represents Local Authorities at all levels of courts as legal counsel for several Local Authorities, and has done so for more than 20 years.

The author primarily represents Local Authorities in matters involving contractual disputes, claims for negligence, claims for injunctive and declaratory relief by and against Local Authorities, applications for judicial review, claims regarding town planning and planning approval under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, and claims regarding approval of plans, earthworks, construction, and enforcement under the Street, Drainage and Building

Most recently, the author successfully defended the appeal pertaining to section 70A of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 on behalf of Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai in Weng Lee Granite Quarry Sdn Bhd v. Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai [2020] 1 CLJ 34 before the Federal Court.

Additionally, the author provides guidance to local authorities on the formulation and execution of joint venture agreements, concession agreements, construction agreements, sale and purchase agreements involving assets owned by the local authority, licensing agreements, development agreements, etc. The author is also a notary public and a certified mediator.