THE Brickfields community, through Brickfields Rukun Tetangga (RT) and Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Safe City KL, is willing and eager to volunteer time and effort to take care of River of Life (RoL) assets in their neighbourhood.
“We are willing to serve as custodians (for the assets) and can become the eyes and ears of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) here,” said RT chairman SKK Naidu.
“The RT can designate representatives who are residing nearby to these assets to keep an eye out for any vandalism or encroachment,” he added.
ALSO READ: Mystery surrounds structures in Brickfields
According to Naidu, the RT had sent multiple letters to DBKL proposing this collaborative effort between the city and the community but had not received any response.
“We even suggested adopting Taman Dusun Bandar previously, which has sadly become another neglected project in the city,’’ he said.
Naidu says multiple letters have been sent to DBKL proposing a collaborative effort.
Naidu added that they had requested DBKL to upgrade the walking path and lights in Dusun park for public safety.
He said Taman Dusun Bandar, a fruit orchard park along Jalan Bellamy that was built at a cost of RM17.2mil, had became a white elephant due to bad planning and vandalism.
“However, once again, there has been no response (from DBKL).
“I believe the community can enhance the value of city assets like the RoL sites and structures by organising activities such as morning or flea markets.
“The structure near the RoL site near Jalan Ang Seng can be transformed into a community centre or a community-managed gym, preventing it from becoming another neglected facility,” he added.
A. Ghani Mohamed, coordinator of LA21 Safe City KL, shared Naidu’s sentiment, and suggested that the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) could manage the area.
Ghani suggests that MAB could manage the area for DBKL.
“At LA21, we consistently promote a grassroots approach, where communities, residents and non-governmental organisations take charge of their areas based on their vision, expectations and plans,” Ghani stated.
Naidu added that DBKL lacked the workforce to independently manage all these locations.
Ang Seng resident Selva Kumar Singam agreed and thought hiring security personnel was unnecessary.
“These guards have grown complacent and some have transformed DBKL buildings into their personal living spaces or storage areas.
“Some don’t even venture beyond their comfort zones.
“If they had, they would have noticed people residing in these buildings and the acts of vandalism,” Selva said.
Naidu and Ghani said building a safer and healthier community could only start by granting the community ownership of these assets. — By BAVANI M
