A house in Jalan Awan Kecil 5 filled with all sorts of rubbish and recyclables.
A HOMEOWNER in Jalan Awan Kecil 5, Taman Yarl in Kuala Lumpur, is facing court action after health officers found he failed to comply with a clean-up notice issued over two months ago.
The resident has for decades ignored warnings to clear piles of recyclables and rubbish from his porch and the area outside his house.
Residents said they had little confidence that enforcement would follow through.
Years of complaints about the same homeowner had achieved nothing and weak action had encouraged others to turn their homes into makeshift storage yards and recycling centres, they added.
Luis Wong said he did not have faith in the local authorities.
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“I can guarantee they will not do anything. I have lived here for 20 years and we have complained numerous times, but nothing has been done.
“The rubbish has just been growing until it is now almost at roof level and right up to the gate.”
Another resident, identified only as Ben, who lived a few doors away, echoed the same frustration.
“We are fed up with the authorities for failing to take action. They show up with a big team, fill up forms and issue notices, but nothing (else) happens,” he said.
“Because nothing has been done, more than five houses on this street have started hoarding all sorts of items. It’s a health and fire hazard, and we are worried it will only get worse.
Ben is afraid that the growing number of houses operating like makeshift recycling centres would drag down property value.
Kuala Lumpur Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) carried out a site visit on Sept 25 with several agencies to assess the situation.
Officers found piles of cardboard, plastic bottles and polystyrene containers collected by the occupants and stored at the front of a private residence.
“During the visit, we learnt the occupants are an elderly husband-and-wife team who collect recyclables around the OUG morning market to earn a living.
“However, they refused to cooperate with SWCorp’s efforts to clean the area despite repeated advice,” said a senior SWCorp officer.
Following this, the Lembah Pantai Health Office issued a cleaning order, giving the couple 14 days to clear the waste.
“We carried out a follow-up inspection on Oct 9 and found they still failed to comply.
“The case has since been referred to the Health Ministry’s Legal Division for court action,” the officer said, adding that there was no indication yet as to when proceedings would begin.
SWCorp said it would continue working with relevant agencies to monitor the area and ensure enforcement was carried out.
Seputeh People’s Representa-tive Council (MPPWP) Zone 6 chairman Alvin T. Ariaratnam said the piles of boxes, bottles and polystyrene were a fire hazard.
The mess, he said, has attracted rats and snakes, posing a health risk, and urged immediate intervention.
During a visit, there were more than five houses that had turned their porches into storage yards overflowing with rubbish and recyclables.
One house showed an extreme case of hoarding, with junk spilling from the porch into the compound outside.
A lorry parked in front was also filled with rubbish.
Another house had its porch packed from floor to ceiling with plastic bottles, cardboard, pipes, metal scraps and tools.
Fluorescent tubes and metal rods were wedged haphazardly overhead, while large PVC pipes leaned dangerously on one side.
The scenes show severe cases of hoarding and clear risks of fire, pests and health hazards.
At press time, no visible clean-up has taken place. – By BAVANI M
