An illegal Umno branch structure is being built on a children's playground in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, said angry residents of the Sri Endah flats.

When met today, the residents of the low-cost flats claimed that work on the structure, believed to be a building for the Bandar Tun Razak Umno branch, began three days ago.

Instead of children in the playground, which is a stretch of grassy area behind the flats, there are now an excavator and construction workers.

Long-time resident Chen Thong Cheng explained that while the residents did not object the construction of an Umno branch building, it should not be erected on the playground.

Residents also said that they were not informed about the construction and only discovered about it a few days ago.

Chen added that he had contacted the Sri Endah property management, PJD Management Services Sdn Bhd, and was told they had not approved any construction work in the area.

Another resident, who wanted to be known only as Wong, complained that she was verbally harassed when she inquired about the construction from a man on the site.

"He shouted at me: 'This is Malaysia. You can go back to China'," related Wong.

Another resident, who requested anonymity, said that a group of men believed to be Umno supporters have been having regular meetings in an open area near the flats.

Report lodged

When contacted later, PJD Management Services operation manager Elson Gan confirmed that the company had not approved any projects at the site.

Gan said that the company had lodged a police report against Umno Bandar Tun Razak today over the illegal structure.

The company will also write a letter to the Umno branch requesting them to stop work immediately, he added.

Meanwhile, DAP member of Parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok who visited the area this morning also vowed to lodge a police report tomorrow.