Unsung heroes of our unclean streets

Challenging work: An Alam Flora employee heading down a dark culvert to unclog it.

ONE of my biggest pet peeves is to see someone littering. Unfortunately, seeing someone throw rubbish out of their car window, flicking a cigarette butt on the ground or throwing their trash into the drain rather than the rubbish bin is not an uncommon sight in Malaysia.

Many litterbugs do not think about how their trash can clog drains, attract mosquitoes or cause flash floods. These are consequences that can affect them and their daily lives.

Thankfully, Malaysia has a team of people to prevent these consequences from happening by cleaning up our rubbish and unclogging drains.

According to solid waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, an average of 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of rubbish is collected daily in Kuala Lumpur.

A couple of months ago, I personally saw how they operate. Armed with high-pressure water jets and a huge suction machine, Alam Flora employees worked tirelessly to unclog drains and culverts.

Standing on the road, I couldn’t help but notice the bad smell from the stagnant water. If I could already smell the stench from that distance, imagine how much worse it was for the workers who were in the drain.

“Busuk sangat (It is very smelly),” said Subramaniam Letchumanan when I asked about the smell.

But the 59-year-old said Alam Flora workers learn to get used to the stench.

“I don’t feel like it’s so smelly anymore. But people hold their noses whenever they walk past, so I guess it’s quite smelly,” he said.

Subramaniam worked for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for 17 years before moving on to Alam Flora, where he has worked for the past 22 years.

“I think my job is important. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I know what to do.

“Many people do not have the aspiration to do this kind of work. But it is a job that puts food on the table.

“It is also a job where I can contribute to the caring of our environment and improve our community,” said Subramaniam.

Working in waste management is certainly no easy task, as workers sign in for work at 6.30am before heading out in trucks at 7am to carry out their daily tasks. They finish at 3pm.

Azian Mohd Yusuf has worked for Alam Flora for 21 years. He drives lorries and operates the equipment used to unclog drains.

“It is dangerous work. You don’t know what is in the drain, especially when you go underground.

“People throw whatever they want into the drains like rocks and plastic items. Sometimes we encounter snakes or carcasses of dead animals rotting – those are the worst. But it has all become normal for us,” Azian added.

He said the habits of those living in the low-cost flats pose a challenge to them.

“Some of the people living in the flats are not civic-minded. They throw everything down from their homes. Sometimes you can get hit by the flying rubbish,” he said.

In January, a 15-year-old boy died after being struck by a chair thrown from an upper floor of the Seri Pantai PPR (People’s Housing Project) flats in Pantai Dalam.

Azian said he has seen residents throw old furniture, food scraps, soiled diapers and other rubbish from their units.

“We still clean up after them because it’s our responsibility. But after one or two hours, people will throw rubbish again,” he said.

I am so thankful for these unsung heroes who are making sure that we have rubbish-­free streets and unclogged drains.

They get down and dirty to make sure that we enjoy a clean environment. I have major respect for the work they do.

But what riles me up is the mindset that someone will pick up your rubbish after you.

It angers me to see piles of trash in our drains and streets, especially if there are rubbish bins in the vicinity.

I hope that Malaysians can develop a deeper sense of environmental consciousness, to break through that “so what” or “tidak apa” (not bothered) attitude.

We should all do our part in ensuring that our neighbourhoods are clean, rather than expecting the municipal councils and waste management companies to do it for us.

Perhaps schools can get students involved in cleaning their classrooms and having recycling drives.

Maybe if students understand the importance of keeping the environment clean and appreciate the effort required, they would be more mindful about throwing rubbish into the proper bins and bring that habit home.

Malaysia has a long way to go in building civic consciousness, but we have to start somewhere.

Online reporter Victoria Brown’s Behind The Cage tackles the pressing issues of animal rights and environmental awareness.