RESIDENTS in Taman Ipoh Jaya in Ipoh, Perak, are disappointed over poor maintenance of drains within their residential area.
Checks by StarMetro found dense undergrowth choking a monsoon drain along Selasar Rokam 11, while several side and back lane drains were clogged with rubbish.
Shamsul Abdullah, a retired lecturer living on Selasar Rokam 16, said the problem had persisted for four years.
“We used to see Ipoh City Council (MBI) workers cleaning the drains regularly, but I hardly see anyone doing it now.
“I have complained to the city council as well as the Simpang Pulai assemblyman’s service centre, but no action has been taken.
“We really want to see regular maintenance restored,” he said.
Former policeman Jamil Harun from Selasar Rokam 7 said the blocked drains would overflow during heavy rain.
“There is sediment and rubbish clogging the channels.
“There have been dengue cases in the area, so we are very concerned.”
Food waste and grease dumped near shophouses compounded the blockage, he said.
“Not only is the stagnant water foul-smelling, but it has also attracted rats and monitor lizards,” said Jamil.
“However, rubbish collection and grass-cutting services in the area remain satisfactory.”
Taman Ipoh Jaya Residents Association secretary Wan Abdul Hamid said the association had requested a dialogue with MBI to address the cleanliness issue.
“We strongly believe that maintaining the neighbourhood is a joint responsibility between residents, shopkeepers and the city council,” he said.
“Apart from the drains, other pressing issues include tree branches growing into power cables, soil settlement on Selasar Rokam 10 and broken streetlamps.”
When contacted, Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi said she had urged the city council to take immediate action.
She stated that cleaning work for the smaller neighbourhood drains had been scheduled.
“For the larger monsoon drains, we will arrange a joint site visit with the local councillor and relevant officers,” she said.
An MBI spokesperson confirmed that the city council was reviewing the complaints.
