A Selangor state executive councillor has now come under fire for operating a restaurant without proper approval from a local council.

K Sivalingam, assemblyperson for Ijok and state exco member in charge of unity and welfare of estate workers, is accused of operating the restaurant with no proper permission from the Shah Alam City Hall (MBSA).

DAP Sungai Pinang state assemblyperson Teng Chang Khim, at a press conference held this morning, provided documents to show that the restaurant was operating illegally.

He also took the reporters, including malaysiakini.tv 's video crew, on a tour to visit the restaurant which is located in Padang Jawa, Kelang.

"Sivalingam must explain why his restaurant is operating illegally and the MPSA, too, must tell us why they have not taken any action against the state representative," he said.

Legal tussle

When contacted, Sivalingam, who is also a top MIC leader, admitted that the restaurant was operating illegally.

He said that he started the restaurant in 2004 and that he was also involved in a legal tussle with the previous landowner over the land title.

"The case was decided on my favour in August last year and only early this month my name was registered as the legal owner," he said.

Now, he added, he could submit a temporary building plan for approval.

He said that he had applied for a temporary building plan in 2003 but was rejected as a result of the court case.

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