Boom gates, guardhouses and access cards: Here are 23 rules guarded Klang Valley neighbourhoods must follow

Kuala Lumpur, Sept 28 — Security measures such as guardhouses, boom gates and access cards have become commonplace in residential areas throughout the Klang Valley, but establishing such guarded communities involves adhering to a set of rules and regulations. These rules differ across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, with Kuala Lumpur's City Hall (DBKL) relying on the PLANMalaysia guideline, while the four Selangor local authorities involved focus on the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) framework, with additional requirements based on local conditions.

The key requirements for establishing a guarded community include obtaining the consent of a sufficient number of residents. In Kuala Lumpur, at least 85 percent of occupied homes must agree, while in Selangor, only 75 percent consent is required for a manual boom gate and 100 percent for an automatic system. Residents are defined as homeowners or tenants living in the proposed guarded community, and unoccupied homes are excluded from the calculation. Notably, residents cannot be coerced or pressured into joining the scheme.

Furthermore, residents who do not wish to participate cannot be barred from entering their homes. The guidelines prohibit guards from denying lawful access to residents, members of the public, and authorities. Although boom gates are generally allowed to operate from midnight to 6am, their use is subject to certain conditions, such as the presence of security guards on duty to open the barrier when needed.

Automatic access systems, however, have stricter requirements. In both Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, automated systems require the unanimous agreement of residents (100 percent consent). Additionally, the guidelines prohibit the creation of two separate lanes, with one for residents and another for visitors. Instead, the access-card system must be designed so that all vehicles enter and exit the guarded community using the same lane, with access granted electronically.