RESIDENTS of Pandan Perdana, Ampang Jaya in Selangor, are concerned that a clogged drain may result in flooding and mosquito infestation in their area.
A check by StarMetro found the drain’s silt trap full of rubbish and dry leaves. It is located in Jalan Perdana 3/1, outside Stadium MPAJ which is the sports facility run by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.
Pandan Perdana Residents Association president Lim Ah Chai said the drain cleaning schedule of the sanitation contractor, KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM), was “impractical”.
“The workers only come to clear the drains when we residents call,” he claimed.
He said the clogged drain could lead to floods during heavy rain.
Stagnant water in the drain could potentially become a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitos, the vector for dengue, he noted.
“KDEBWM should clean the drains, especially the silt traps, more frequently to protect the health and safety of residents,” said Lim.
KDEBWM assistant general manager (corporate communications) Mahfuzah Muhammad Tarmidi told StarMetro that the drains in Pandan Perdana were cleaned at least twice a month, as required by MPAJ.
“KDEBWM cleaned the drain at Jalan Perdana 3/1 on June 5, with the next round scheduled for June 20.
“Sometimes we may not be able to meet the schedule due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, which require more manpower to clean affected areas,” she said.
Leaves falling from nearby trees and rubbish thrown into the drain would clog the silt trap, she noted.
“We urge residents not to throw rubbish into the drains, to prevent them from being clogged.
“We would also like to remind them to not build any structure on top of the drains, as it would make cleaning even more difficult,” she said.
Mahfuzah said KDEBWM could reevaluate its drain cleaning schedule as long as it did not exceed the operational expenditure approved by MPAJ.
