The road and parking bays at the Astaka field in Petaling Jaya littered with fireworks debris.
Irresponsible revellers leave mess of spent fireworks casings near popular PJ park
A PUBLIC carpark near Padang Astaka in Section 52 of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, was left covered in fireworks debris yesterday morning.
Park users were shocked by rubbish which included empty boxes and unpopped fireworks scattered across the road, sidewalks and dividers.
A. Rachael said she was taken aback by the sight during her usual morning walk at 7am.
“There was so much rubbish on the sidewalks and road dividers comprising boxes and spent fireworks.
“My dog refused to walk there because of the strong burnt fireworks smell, and the mess.
“People can celebrate, but not at the expense of littering a public space such as this park,” she said.
Another park-goer, Priya C. heard mini “pops” in the morning on her walk.
“It was quite harmless, but I was startled when I stepped on it.
“I was appalled by the mess and I feel sorry for the park workers who will need to clean this up.
“We have to be responsible for the cleanliness of our parks, it is after all a shared recreational space,” she stressed.
Nearby resident K. Ayesha said she witnessed a group of about 50 people lighting fireworks at the carpark around 10pm on Monday night.
“We drove past the place and saw people lighting fireworks on the road.
“There were many families, from children to adults, having a good time lighting fireworks, but it was dangerous for motorists.
“Because of that, we had to stop in our tracks and wait for the fireworks to end before we could pass safely,” she said.
When contacted, Petaling Jaya councillor Bryan Ng said Petaling Jaya City Council enforcement officers would be sent to check the site.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon told StarMetro that if the mess was caused by an event held there, the city council would hold the organisers responsible.
“However, as it appeared to be a public act, preventive steps will be considered.
“Public parks must be kept clean at all times.”
He said that under no circumstances was littering in public spaces allowed.
