Investigations are ongoing into who was responsible for the illegal floor uncovered at The Alexcier building in Alexandra Road.
“The extensive unauthorised floor is a blatant breach of the regulations. Such contraventions will not be tolerated,” the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said.
The Sunday Times understands that some people who might know when the floor was built have been asked to give statements.
It is not known when the floor was built but industry experts said it would not have passed inspections by the authorities ahead of getting its Temporary Occupation Permit if there was a ninth floor when the building plan showed up to eight storeys.
The illicitly constructed floor also means that the owners had dodged paying a development charge of over $1 million, based on the current rate, if the additional level was approved.
The unit is owned by ZACD Investments, a company co-founded by Mr Stanley Yeo and his wife Kain Sim.
Mr Yeo, who was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2015 and chairs the Tampines North Citizens’ Consultative Committee, has taken leave from his grassroots position. A People’s Association spokesman told The Sunday Times that Mr Yeo will be away for three months.
“As investigations are still ongoing, we will take appropriate action after the case is concluded,” he added.
Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng declined a request for comment.
The BCA has ordered that the illegal floor be taken down by early April. Demolition work by Singapore Facilitists began last week and is scheduled to be completed by April 1.
A worker overseeing the work declined to comment as the company has signed a non-disclosure agreement with ZACD Investments, he said.
The BCA and URA said the floor “is a steel structure with timber flooring” and can be dismantled.
“The additional floor area is not allowed as it exceeds the maximum permissible intensity under the URA’s Master Plan,” they added.
The Building Control Act states that anyone convicted of carrying out unauthorised building work is liable to a fine of up to $200,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years.
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