Multiple complaints from residents of Jalan 1 in Taman Kepong over deteriorating infrastructure have prompted a visit from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
DBKL Public Service Delivery Transformation (PSDT) unit – representing the Landscape, Civil Engineering and Drainage, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering departments – met with local activist Yee Poh Ping, who had raised concerns on behalf of the community.
The team moved quickly to replace missing concrete drain covers.
A PSDT member said theft was a rampant issue in the city, with some hotspots needing replacements up to five times a year.
The intervention follows years of frustration for residents, who said hazards such as pockmarked roads, cracked walkways, missing drain covers and protruding metal stumps had made the area a “danger zone” for senior citizens.
Resident Tan Geok Choon, 69, said the road was so full of potholes that she feared tripping on her daily walks.
“No repaving work has been done in the past 10 years.
“When it rains, the street is filled with puddles,” she said.
Tan said she forwarded her grouses to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and lodged two formal complaints via Lim’s service centre to the Adu@KL portal on Oct 10 and Dec 22, but action was only taken on Dec 30.
Low Su San, 70, a resident of 40 years, urged DBKL to clear the overgrowth obstructing a 170m walkway.
“In certain parts, pedestrians have to walk bent over to avoid foliage.
In some area, roots have even cracked the walkway,” he said.
Low added that the 43 trees along the street were under DBKL jurisdiction as they were tagged and numbered by the Landscape Department.
Residents also pointed out danger from five protruding metal stumps – remnants of a steel fence that once separated the residential street from the busy Jalan Kepong main road.
Yee also called on DBKL to provide emergency allocations for resurfacing of roads.
“Jalan Kepong has been resurfaced numerous times but due to water ponding, the repairs do not last,” he noted.
“DBKL should investigate the cause of the water ponding, before carrying out repairs, to avoid wasting taxpayers’ money.”
Following the site visit, DBKL told Yee that a budget would be allocated and a contractor appointed for road works.
A request to clear overgrowth has also been sent to the relevant department for immediate action.
