According to the law, the illegal mansion built by Port Klang assemblyperson Zakaria Deros must be torn down - nothing short of that is acceptable, said Sg Pinang assemblyperson Teng Chang Khim.

Teng, a practising lawyer, said the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1976 clearly stipulates that local authorities, in this case Klang Municipal Council (MPK), must demolish the building should Zakaria fail to do so.

Zakaria, who is also a Klang municipal councillor, was alleged to have built his RM 8 million sprawling mansion early this year without submitting the required building plans to the MPK.

Last week, it was reported that Zakaria would be meted the maximum fine for building the mansion in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran, which was ten times the planning fee - RM24,000.

Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo told reporters then that "action had been taken" on Zakaria but did not specify demolition orders.

Residents protest

Teng however, claims that Khir and his government was attempting to placate the public that the matter was closed and that he trying to protect the property of Zakaria, who is reputably powerful and influential.

"The MPK president (Abdul Bakir Zin) argued that the building would not be demolished because it was 80 percent completed. This is a big lie, because according to the act, no one can erect a building without written consent from the local authorities," said Teng.

Teng was addressing more than 100 Pandamaran folks, many of them from lower-income groups, who gathered outside Zakaria's mansion today in protest.

Between several speeches from politicians, chants of "Roboh Zakaria (demolish Zakaria)" were heard. Banners and placards denouncing Zakaria were also paraded in front of the mansion.

Some of the residents when approached said they were irked by double standards practiced by the state government, as many squatter houses in the area was demolished, but not Zakaria's.

Pandamaran's new 'king'

Former Kajang assemblyperson Dr Shafie Abu Bakar told the crowd that earlier this morning, he had helped himself to a 'tour' of the mansion and found that it had at least 17 rooms.

"It is a palace... for the 'king' of Pandamaran," he said in jest.

At a press conference later, PAS vice-president Dr Hassan Ali (left in picture)questioned if Zakaria was at all ill of late, or was he trying to avoid being summoned by the Sultan of Selangor.

"It is obvious that the sultan is angry. He has been served several notices but he gave the excuse that he was sick. But apparently, he is well enough to spend time with his family in his chalet in Melaka," said Hassan.

On this morning's meeting between Zakaria and the sultan, Teng said any action taken by the sultan does not absolve the government's duty to enforce the law and tear down the illegal mansion.