The Kota Tinggi Municipal Council has served notice to the Tanjung Sutera Resort in Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi, demanding that it demolishes the surau in the resort within 21 days.

surau and tanjung sutera resort in sedili besar kota tinggi 210813 surau The notice signed by council president Hasrin Kamal Hashim orders the resort to demolish the surau, which sparked controversy after being used for meditation by a group of Buddhists from Singapore, within 21 days from today.

Failing this, legal action will be taken against the resort owner or demolition would be carried out by the council.

kota tinggi demolition notice for tanjung sutera surau "And you (the owner) will be charged for all the expenditure for demolition, without any further warning," the notice states.

The notice is dated Aug 20 and served on the resort today. It was posted on the wall of the surau, next to the entrance.

Malaysiakini spotted the notice during a visit to the resort today.

Last Tuesday, Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) adviser Nooh Gadut had said a decision on the fate of the building, believed to be built at a cost of more RM60,000, would be made by the Johor Fatwa Committee in a month's time.

surau and tanjung sutera resort in sedili besar kota tinggi 210813 resort building A member of the resort staff confirmed with Malaysiakini that the municipal council’s notice to demolish the surau was handed to him today.

Attempts to contact the resort owner for comment have so far been futile.

According to the notice, municipal council officers visited the resort on Aug 13 for investigation and had found out that the surau was built without the approval of the council.

Hasrin says in the notice that this is in violation of Section 70 of 1974 Street, Drainage and Building Act.