Market traders dump rubbish outside welfare home

Rubbish dumped in drains outside Rumah Amal Cheshire Selangor in Batu Caves, Selangor.

The dirty and unkempt surroundings around a market in Selayang are making residents in the vicinity upset.

Rubbish from traders are left by the roadside and not disposed of properly.

Rumah Amal Cheshire Selangor president Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulieman said the problem had worsened over the last two years.

The home is located along Batu Caves, a stone’s throw from the market.

Khatijah complained about having to put up with the unsightly mess and stench from the rubbish strewn on roads.

The welfare home currently houses 25 residents, comprising the disabled and elderly.

Khatijah said several reports were lodged with the authorities but no concrete action had been taken to date.

“Every day, used boxes and rotting produce are discarded at our fence and dumped into the surrounding drains.

“Sometimes, the traders burn their rubbish and this results in a bad odour,” she said.

A check by StarMetro also found that drains were clogged with food waste, raising concerns about Aedes mosquitoes breeding there due to the stagnant water.

Federal Territories Bumiputera Traders Selayang branch chief Mohd Hafiz Mohd Sidik said stronger enforcement was needed to address the problem.

“The area has many roadside traders, the majority of whom are foreigners operating without a licence.

“There must be a joint enforcement exercise to remove them from the area permanently,” he said.

Mohd Hafiz added that some premises owners had also rented out spaces in the area to illegal traders.

“Some take up roadside parking bays meant for customers,” he added.

Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), in a statement to StarMetro, said frequent checks were carried out by its Enforcement and Safety Department.

The local council said traders were required to dispose of the waste themselves.

It said rubbish collection was done daily, including on weekends.

MPS added that checks found that the rubbish was generated by illegal traders in the area.