Liew raises a stink over court complex

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Liew Vui Keong wants the contractor in charge of cleaning service to be held accountable for the deplorable conditions in the court complex here.

Liew was surprised to learn that judges have to clean their own toilets and that this has been going on for several weeks now.

The cleaners have gone on strike as they have not been paid by the contractor since Ramadan.

“It is shocking ... I cannot simply allow judges, court officials, lawyers and all concerned to work under such conditions.

“The deplorable condition, as reported, is simply unacceptable and the contractor who maintains the cleanliness of the courts must be responsible. It’s a serious matter,” he said when contacted.

“The maintenance contractor must be brought to accountability.”

Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum is organising a gotong-­royong (mass volunteering) session today, requesting all court staff and judges to help clean the complex.

It is learnt that the Government had paid the contractor for services until the end of the year.

Some court staff posted on Facebook that they have now to do “cleaners’ job”.

Yesterday, The Star reported that a High Court judge here said she received the memo for the gotong-­royong late Friday evening.

“I have been washing my own washroom. Imagine me cleaning my toilet here when I haven’t had to do it since years ago at home.

“I am planning to take my maid to court to clean my chambers, my court and washroom. I will need to pay my maid extra for this,” she was quoted as saying.

She said the current situation was undesirable.

“We have tonnes of documents, papers to go through and a dirty court to clean. I’m feeling like I am in a chicken coop,” she added.

A senior lawyer said the state of cleanliness at all levels of the court complex was deplorable and to make matters worse, the male toilets were not working.

Several of the toilets had no lights while there were also burst urinals and wet, unkempt floors.

“The stench ... well it attacks the senses way before the sight of it does,” he said.

A stall owner at the complex’s cafeteria said it had been weeks since the cleaners went on strike.

“There are 10 stall owners at the complex’s cafe. Each contributes RM20 to pay about four cleaners every day. We hire them temporarily to clear the table and wash the plates and mugs,” the stall owner said.

A check during lunch hour on Friday showed that most of the tables were not cleared and no cleaners were working.

Toilets were also dirty with no tissue rolls at Level 1, which were mostly used by the public.

A court staff said it was not comfortable eating at the cafeteria as there were no cleaners to wash the plates, mugs, forks and spoons.

“I bring my own food now,” the staff said.

Office of the Federal Court’s chief registrar, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue.