Yee pointing to rubbish dumped in the commercial area along Jalan Besar Selayang Baru.
BUSINESS owners along Jalan Besar Selayang Baru in Batu Caves, Selangor, are at their wits’ end over overflowing rubbish and clogged drains in their commercial area.
They blame their woes on the infrequent rubbish collection and irresponsible action by illegal dumpers.
Sited near Pasar Harian Selayang (wet market), the commercial area hosts many shophouses selling various goods, from groceries to household items.
S. Rajam, who has been renting a shoplot in the area for his business in the past eight years, said the surrounding drains were filled with rubbish such as plastic bottles and containers.
He urged Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and KDEB Waste Management to work together to solve the problem.
“They need to step up the frequency of rubbish collection,” he said, adding that he had forwarded the matter to both parties.
Illegal dumping has caused some drains to become clogged.
Checks by StarMetro at five-foot ways, backlanes and streets in the area found many piles of rubbish, believed to be discarded by traders.
This was despite a signboard by MPS warning of a RM1,000 fine for illegal dumping.
Another trader, Ng Kae Luen, expressed concern over mosquitoes breeding inside the drains because of stagnant water.
“There is also foul odour, which could deter customers from coming here,” he said, adding that some parts of the drains were filled with debris.
The clogged drains had presented a secondary problem – water overflowing during downpours.
Ng says stagnant water could become mosquito breeding grounds. — Photos: FARID WAHAB and LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Supermarket manager Siti Zakiah Jamal said shopowners had built a bund on the five-foot way in front of their premises to deal with flooding.
“We had no choice as our shops often get flooded during heavy rain, causing damage to our goods.
“However, we were recently told by MPS personnel to remove the bunds as they are causing obstruction,” she said.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping, who was helping locals highlight the problems to local authorities, said he had sent a letter to MPS.
“The local council should work with KDEB to clean up the drains and clear away rubbish in the surrounding area,” he said.
Yee also called for the drains to be upgraded.
