Overflowing rubbish seen in the back lane of Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur. The dumpsters will be moved to Lorong Sultan next month.
CENTRALISED rubbish bins in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown will be moved to a location nearby by next month.
This follows complaints from business owners along Jalan Sultan that the current location of the bins behind their shops had affected business.
Fung Wong Biscuit Shop owner Melvin Chan said the foul smell from the rubbish bins placed near the back door of his shop and a school was a turnoff.
“People also have the bad habit of throwing rubbish in the back lane and outside the bins,” he said, calling on the authorities to remove the bins as soon as possible.
Petaling Street Rukun Tetangga chairman Datuk Chan Kwok Chin said the back lane of Jalan Sultan had become a dumping ground.
“Rubbish is often seen piled outside the bins and is an eyesore,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur Advisory Board member Andre Lai said the problem had persisted for more than 20 years.
“There used to be illegal hawkers operating in the back lanes where the bins are located, but Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) evicted them in August.
“However, the rubbish bins are now in plain sight, creating an unpleasant view for tourists,” he said.
Officers from DBKL’s Health and Environment Department had proposed each shop unit having its own individual bin.
However, DBKL Advisory Board member Carmen Leong opposed the move.
She said the recent enforcement against illegal traders had sparked interest in developing and beautifying the area.
“I do not agree with the proposal of having individual bins as it would defeat the purpose of the beautification plan.
“It is better to have a centralised location where traders can access the bins.
“We have since identified a location for the dumpsters in Lorong Sultan, behind a hotel,” she said.
Bukit Bintang Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) chairman Ben Fong hopes the new location for the bins will be easily accessible and not mar the image of the area.
