Illegal encroachment hinders drain cleaning work in KL

The Star

Vast stretches of drains across Kuala Lumpur have become nearly inaccessible for maintenance due to businesses illegally occupying public spaces.  Contractors appointed by waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd said this has hindered their work to keep the city clean.  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00Many drains in Kuala Lumpur have become nearly inaccessible for maintenance due to illegal

00:06encroachments.

00:08This has hindered drain cleaning operations, causing delays for Alam Flora workers to carry

00:12out their work.

00:13First, the main obstacle during our daily tasks, first because there's a lot of utilities

00:24along the drains, there's water utilities, and then the coming in now is like a telco

00:32utilities.

00:33There's a part of the drain that we can't use, like the bomb or the high-pressure nozzle.

00:47So, as workers or shooters, we are given the responsibility to enter the drain in the city

00:56centre.

00:57Alhamdulillah, so far, it's okay, it's normal, but in the beginning, it's a bit difficult.

01:02In the beginning, we want to get used to the smell, sometimes the smell of gas, sometimes

01:07the smell of the floor, the smell of garbage.

01:09We want to get used to all of that.

01:12Alhamdulillah, now everything is okay.

01:14Moreover, these encroachments might even cause hazards for wheelchair users and the disabled

01:20and post risks during emergencies.

01:22The outdated drains and rapid development in the area will also complicate the cleaning

01:27process.

01:28Despite the challenges, Alam Flora workers continue to carry out their duties to unclog

01:33the drains.

01:34The challenges of driving the train are many, more than many customers, many people.

01:43We are always angry.

01:45As workers, we have to accept that we have to enter through the left and exit through

01:51the right.

01:52If we want to do it properly, to remove all the things, sometimes it takes almost one

01:56hour, for the scratch of 50 meters, 40 meters.

02:01But if there's no obstacle or anything, we just, five to ten minutes, it's clear already.

02:07Because the catch basin is just waiting at one spot, and then our pressure jetter shoots

02:12at one spot.

02:13Alam Flora has identified 10 critical hotspots in the city where they face difficulties in

02:18their operations.

02:20These areas are mostly concentrated in Chowkit, Titiwangsa, Kampung Baru, Pudu, and Bukit

02:27Bintang.

02:28Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation said they are aware of the issues

02:32faced by Alam Flora, and added that while their duty does not cover actions against

02:37such premises, they will report their findings to local authorities, which can take enforcement

02:42action for unauthorized structures in public spaces.

02:46They said their long-term strategy will involve collaboration with City Hall to install waste

02:50filtration systems to reduce drain pollution and push for stricter penalties against illegal

02:55waste dumping.

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