Stagnant water overflowing onto the road in front of the morning market.
CLOGGED drains emitting unpleasant smells near a temporary morning market at Jalan SK6/1 in Seri Kembangan, Selangor have raised the ire of residents in the neighbourhood.
Seri Kembangan MCA public complaints bureau chief Wong Jung Lik said a lot of food waste and dirty water from the market were not managed properly and had clogged the drains.
“As a result, the odour from the stagnated water is pervading nearby residential areas and shops. To the residents’ disgust, dirty drain water is also overflowing onto the road in front of the market,” he added.
“There is an urgent need for the drains in the area to be upgraded as they now have to cater to the needs of a morning market, said Wong.
“As this was formerly a housing area, the drains are narrow. Now that there are commercial activities, the drainage must be widened and deepened accordingly.
Wong showing a drain that is clogged with rubbish outside the market.
“Though this may be a temporary site, it is estimated that the traders will be here for another three years,” he said, adding that clogged drains would act as breeding ground for mosquitoes, rodents and snakes.
The traders operating from the temporary morning market are from the old Seri Kembangan market at Jalan SK 10/3.
They were moved to the current temporary site on April 17 as the old market is being torn down and a new one set to replace it in three years’ time.
The drainage issue added to a long list of complaints arising from the new village’s wet market relocation.
These complaints include reports of the vacant market site being turned into an illegal dumping ground.
Kampung Baru Seri Kembangan village management committee chairman Hong Lin Tai said the complaints were brought up to Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).
However, the problem of clogged drains, he said, existed before the temporary morning market started operating, owing to the large number of restaurants and businesses there.
Hong added that waste and water used for cleaning fish and chicken contributed to the foul smell in the drains.
MBSJ councilor Teh Eng Teck said among the proposals raised with the council on April 27 was to instal rubbish traps at the drain outlets to prevent rubbish from entering the perimeter drains around the temporary market.
While awaiting approval, KDEB will be called in to remove any blockages that may impede water flow, he added.
When contacted, Persatuan Penjaja Pasar Pagi Jalan SK10/3 Seri Kembangan Selangor chairman Choi Gan Hau, who represented the 300 traders relocated to the temporary site, said he would engage with association members on ways to minimise rubbish being dumped and ending up in the drains.
“One idea is for every stall to set up a plastic bag or box nearby to hold their rubbish for a start,” he said.
