First Garden Flats get a major clean-up - The Star Metro Perak

10 Jan 2018 by Amanda Yeap

THE utterly filthy and deplorable conditions of the privately-owned First Garden Flats prompted both the state government and Ipoh City Council to hold a massive integrated intervention last Saturday morning.

The city council, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), non-governmental organisations and state officials, including the mentri besar himself, visited the 30-year-old property to clean it up.

Determined to improve the cleanliness of the housing project, state authorities also took the time to conduct a thorough study and interview residents to get down to the root cause of the abysmal living conditions in the area.

Of the 280 units, only 127 are occupied. According to State Women’s Development, Family, Community Welfare, Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Rusnah Kassim, most of the occupants of the housing project are tenants and not the real owners of the units.

Zambry (right, wearing cap) helped to clear the rubbish during the gotong-royong in First Garden Flats. —Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

Rusnah said one of the proposals is to form a Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) here.

“After interviewing several residents about cleanliness problems, we have also received reports about several damaged parts of the building that makes the place uninhabitable for them.

“The AADK is also here with us today to monitor the place based on reports mentioning the presence of drug addicts.

“With a KRT established, not only will we have an effective committee to resolve cleanliness issues, but also to ensure the safety of residents here as the Rukun Tetangga can conduct patrols,” she said during the gotong-royong session.

Rusnah also said she will be meeting with all the residents here soon to offer some insight and advice for them on keeping their surroundings clean.

“This will come after I raise the proposal to establish the KRT in the State Executive Council meeting this week.

“Once approval is obtained, we will look into electing the right person to lead the committee because strong leadership is important.

“The appointed chairman must be strict and be able to command the respect of the residents here, otherwise it wodn’t be effective,” she said.

Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamri Man said, aside from setting up a KRT, the city council will ensure that a joint management body (JMB) is established to contribute to the building’s maintenance.

Zambry (wearing cap) with Rusnah (in tudung) visited the flats with government agencies and NGOs to clean up the area and learn first-hand about issues affecting residents.

“It is compulsory for every flat building like this to form a JMB so that issues to do with the amenities like the cleanliness of common areas, lighting, safety and comfort can be swiftly dealt with.

“We will also delegate several elected representatives from the city council to be part of the JMB in the hopes that after this, the building will be better maintained,” he said.

Asked if the flat currently has a JMB, Zamri said, based on current records, the housing project does not have one.

“This could be due to several factors, such as unwillingnessto cooperate.

“We need to implement this as quickly as possible to help inculcate a sense of responsibility among the residents here,” he said.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said it was appalling to see so many piles of rubbish had accumulated in and around the flats.

Ipoh City Watch and other NGOs took part in the clean-up works 

“It is saddening to see. We cannot simply point our fingers at one party and pin the blame on them, as I believe there are a multitude of causes for this problem, such as social conditions, neighbourhood conditions, and the lack of responsibility shown by those who live here,” he said.

Zambry stressed that his visit to First Garden Flats was to lead various state authorities to conduct an overall analysis to identify the causes of and ways to resolve longstanding problems in the flats.

“This won’t be solved in a day. We have to look at all aspects because it’s not only due to poverty.

“There are certain poor areas in the state that are well-maintained and kept clean by residents. Looking at the area and nature of the problem, I’m sure many deep-seated issues can be addressed,” he said.

Cleaners had a busy day clearing rubbish which included furniture and appliances.

The First Garden Flats was in a deplorable condition for years until the major clean up last Saturday

However, Zambry said, at the end of the day, it is still up to the residents to take responsibility and continue to maintain the building.

“The government can impose various rules and regulations, but the residents also have to show initiative as they are the ones living here.

“They must be responsible about looking after their neighbourhood. They cannot simply expect the city council or state government to always come in and clean up for them,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/01/10/first-garden-flats-get-a-major-cleanup-various-government-agencies-and-ngos-visit-area-to-clear-surr/

Residents fed up of various problems in neighbourhood - The Star Metro Perak

11 Jan 2018 by Ivan Loh

Ipoh City Council workers cleaning up the earthern trench that serves as a drain in Kampung Tersusun Bercham

THE people of Kampung Tersusun Bercham, which borders Bercham and Ipoh Garden East, in Ipoh, are tired of the problems in the area.

Faced with potholes, clogged drains, illegal dumpsites and uncontrolled undergrowth, residents voiced their grouses to Ipoh City Councillor Low Guo Nan during his visit there last Sunday.

Housewife Juander Kaur, 49, said the bushes near her home are a habitat for snakes.

“Snakes have entered my house about five to six times. A cobra bit my dog two years ago.

Juander said she hopes the city council will clear away all the bushes in the area, to prevent animals like snakes and other pests, from breeding.

“I hope the city council can also resurface the road here, not just patch holes here and there.

“The road is very uneven and is dangerous especially when it rains,” she said.

Low (left) checking an illegal dumpsite in Kampung Tersusun Bercham, Ipoh.

Another resident Vincent Lee, 56, said his immediate concern is the lack of proper drainage in the area.

“What we have here are just earthen trenches, which are now clogged with vegetation and could potentially be a mosquito breeding ground.

“Flash floods do occur here whenever it rains heavily,” he said.

“I hope the city council can put a proper drainage system in place,” he added.

The former satellite engineer also said the city council should also look into the issues of abandoned houses in the area.

“Some have become dens for drug users. We hope the authorities will look into this issue,” he said.

“We, the residents, really want all these basic issues addressed,” he added.

Ipoh City Council collected five truckloads of garbage during the clean up at the area on Sunday.

Former contractor Lee Ghiam Seng, 81, said he hopes the city council can build speedbreakers or bumps along Lebuh Bercham Selatan.

“Cars always speed along the road. It is dangerous for the residents here, especially those who ride motorcycles,” he said.

Lee also called for some trees in the area to be felled.

“The branches keeps falling from one rose apple tree here.

“It is a hazard to people and vehicles passing through the area,” he said.

Ipoh City Councillor Low Guo Nan said he has received some 40 complaints from the residents during his visit to Kampung Tersusun Bercham.

Ipoh City Council workers cleaning vegetation in the neighbourhood.

“Aside from the concerns mentioned by the residents, other issues include abandoned cars and undergrowth on private land,” he said.

“I’ll bring up the issues from the residents to the city council for further deliberation,” he said.

“On the request to build a proper drainage system, the city council has already included this in its plan as one of the many projects to be conducted this year,” he added.

Also present during Low’s visit to the area were city council workers, to clean up the area.

Some five truckloads of garbage were collected in the area.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/01/11/residents-fed-up-of-various-problems-in-neighbourhood-kampung-tersusun-bercham-residents-hope-the-co/

Dengue risk back in Fair Park - Star Metro Perak

21 Nov 2017

                                                 An illegal dumpsite in the Fair Park neighbourhood.

A SPATE of dengue cases hit Fair Park in Ipoh between late September and early October, with 15 residents contracting the illness.

On Nov 4, the neighbourhood’s status as a dengue hotspot was removed by the state Health Department.

However, undergrowth, especially those along drains, and uncollected garbage remain a nuisance.

A check by MetroPerak showed that undergrowth has clogged up the drain along Jalan Chang Yin Fatt, while rubbish bags were strewn at back alleys and road sides.

“Contractors used to cut the grass once every two weeks but I hardly see them lately.

“Another problem is that the contractors only cut the grass but did not remove them,” Chan said, adding that she and her husband have been living in Fair Park for about 45 years.

“When I asked them, they told me that the cleaning of the drains is the Ipoh City Council’s responsibility, not theirs,” she added.

Chan’s husband came down with dengue in the middle of October.

“He was the last resident from here to be diagnosed with dengue.

“It was fortunate that he did not have to be admitted but I had to take him to the hospital and health clinics for blood checks regularly,” she said, adding that her husband has since recovered.

“Since then, I’ve been spraying insect repellent, using mosquito repellent patches and coils in the whole house to repel the pests,” she added.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said fogging exercises were held every two weeks in October.

Undergrowth in and around the drains in Fair Park have not been cut in a while.

“Fogging is done after each report of a dengue case here.

“Last month, the fogging activities were quite frequent,” he said.

The resident also said he hoped the state health department would send its officers to conduct more random checks at housing areas, including those likely to become hotspots.

“Some drains will be clogged up, the undergrowth not cut and illegal dumpsites not cleared away,” he said.

“You can blame it on some of the residents that are not being civic-minded.

“Those who are responsible to clear the drains and undergrowth should also be blamed,” he added.

The resident also said that this was not the first time the neighbourhood was declared a dengue hotspot.

“About two or three years ago, one resident died from complications due to the illness,” he said.

Housewife Sharon Wong, 50, said her daughter, husband and her all came down with dengue early last month.

“We made complaints to the city council to cut the grass and clear the clogged drains but nothing was done.

“The drains were only cleaned and undergrowth cut about two to three weeks ago, after I made another complaint,” she said.

Wong said she was also told by a city council staff that mosquitoes would not breed on dirty water caused by clogged drains.

“But that does not mean that the drains should be left as it is,” she said.

Perak Health Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said there were six dengue hotspots identified in the state, including Fair Park, between Oct 29 and Nov 4.

“All are no longer hotspots. The others included SMK Anderson with five cases, Kampung Datuk Ahmad Said Tambahan 2 (five), First Garden (two) and Kampung Sungai Rokam (two) in Ipoh.

“In Muallim, there were four cases in Taman Intan Setia,” he said.

Dr Mah also said that as of Nov 4 this year, there was a 57% increase in dengue cases compared to the corresponding period last year.

“The number of dengue cases now stands at 5,055, an increase by 1,837 cases, compared to 3,218 last year.

“There were also 11 deaths, compared to 10 in 2016,” he said.

Dr Mah said Kinta remained the district with the highest number of dengue cases with 2,997 recorded, with five deaths.

“This is a 75.5% increase from last year, whereby we recorded 1,708 cases,” he said, adding that other notable districts with an increase in dengue cases included Larut, Matang and Selama (535 cases with two deaths), Kuala Kangsar (281 cases and two deaths) and Kampar (248 cases and one death),” he added.

Other districts included Batang Padang (230 cases), Hulu Perak (157), Perak Tengah (80) and Muallim (81).

Dr Mah said districts with lower dengue incidence were Manjung, which saw a 39.6% drop of cases from 361 to 218, Hilir Perak (162 to 152) and Kerian (111 to 76).

“There was, however, one death in Kerian,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/11/21/dengue-risk-back-in-fair-park-neighbourhood-taken-off-hotspot-list-but-cleanliness-not-well-maintain/

Catch them in the act - The Star Metro Perak

June 15, 2017

The unit usually does their rounds by taking photos of dumpsites. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

MEMBERS of the public have lauded the Ipoh City Council’s move to deploy plainclothes enforcement officers to go after those dumping rubbish.

Many felt that the move could deter irresponsible individuals from discarding garbage indiscriminately, which could cause health and cleanliness issues.

Ipoh City Watch (ICW) president Prof Dr Richard Ng said he hoped the city council would continue with the move and that it was not just a one-off effort.

“They must continue to monitor other places in Ipoh where illegal dumping is rampant especially near eateries.

“Enforcement must also be stepped up and litterbugs caught must be given heftier fine,” he told StarMetro.

It was reported that plainclothes city council enforcement officers caught seven people this month and even tracked them back to their respective shops in Ipoh Garden South before issuing some RM950 worth of compound for not having proper garbage bins.

Ng said many businesses still did not have their own garbage bins nor take cleanliness seriously.

“As such, they dump garbage indiscriminately.

The unit going through rubbish to look for any leads on culprits.

“Gone are the days when cleanliness is the responsibility of the local council,” he said.

“We must discard such mentality and make cleanliness as our responsibility together,” he added.

Ng said Ipoh, which was famous for its variety of food, needed to be kept clean as it would definitely attract more tourists and improve their businesses.

“Those that do not have garbage bins and do not practise garbage separation should not be even rated a B Grade in terms of cleanliness.

“The rating given by the city council will be a mockery if it does not include the criteria of garbage disposal and having sludge trap,” he said.

“In fact, businesses caught not properly disposing their garbage should have their licence suspended or invoked and compound issued. Repeat offenders should be dragged to court and shame them as a deterrent,” he added.

Ng said the act of providing a garbage bin for proper disposal of waste should not be used as an excuse that their operating cost would increase.

“They should look at cleanliness as a factor that can help boost their businesses,” he said, adding that cleanliness should be a made a key performance indicator to all local councillors, civil societies and enforcement officers.

“City council workers must also be given fixed schedule each week at each location to discard all garbage dumped illegally while the city council should also provide enough bins at strategic places,” he said.

“Fines collected could be able to buy more bins for the people and at the same time prevent littering,” he added.

He also said that ICW would continue to highlight issues pertaining to the cleanliness and proper disposal of garbage.

“We will also hold talks and campaigns in schools and communities to educate the public to practise recycling and help reduce garbage ending up at landfills,” he added.

Retiree R. Sivamurthy, 63, said as a resident who lives in Canning Garden, it was upsetting to see rubbish piled up everywhere while the large bins provided were overflowing with trash.

“There’s a convenience store and a food court here, so naturally there would be a lot more trash.

The plainclothes council enforcement unit will identify themselves and show the accredited pass before issuing a compound

“I don’t deny that the Ipoh City Council is doing their job, they do come and clear away the trash according to schedule, but the problem lies within the people who toss their trash here indiscriminately,” he said.

Sivamurthy said it was important for the community to cooperate with the local authorities in resolving rubbish problems.

“It is good that the city council has enforcement officers in plain clothes to do the monitoring, but how many times are they going to issue summons to these litterbugs for them to learn their lesson?” he said, adding that more civic awareness was needed.

Technician Saiful Saiya, 38, said the lack of civic-mindedness among the public was disappointing.

“It is as if the people do not really know how to discard of their trash responsibly.

“Even when a bin is overflowing, they still let rubbish accumulate until they fall all over the ground,” he said.

Saiful said he had seen council officers clearing up trash in his res idential area, and even if they were late, it could probably be due to technical problems.

“Apart from council’s effort, I think we must all help each other and be more responsible in keeping our city and homes clean,” he said.

A businessman, who only wanted to be known as Alan, 47, said he hoped that the city council would also have its enforcement officers conduct random checks at night.

“While I laud the effort, I think the city council needs to have people on motorcycles going around commercial areas, housing estates and villages to check near the illegal dumpsites during the night.

“These litterbugs think that they can get away because enforcement officers are not known to work at night,” he said.

Alan also believed in educating the young generation to not litter.

“They are our future and should be taught on how to look after this planet. They should start young,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/15/catch-them-in-the-act-public-laud-move-to-send-out-plainclothes-officers-to-combat-illegal-dumping/

Plainclothes officers on lookout for litterbugs - The Star

June 14, 2017

PLAINCLOTHES enforcement officers from Ipoh City Council are now on the prowl to look out for litterbugs and to issue them with compounds.

Ipoh Datuk Bandar Datuk Zamri Man said the latest strategy by the city council to have “undercover” enforcement officers issuing compounds was aimed at deterring people from littering and creating illegal dumpsites.

“We have always been stern when it comes to litterbugs.

“This is our last resort after all other measures, which include warnings and advices, have failed,” he said in a statement.

“We hope the continued observation effort by our enforcement officers can solve the garbage and litterbug issues in the city,” he said.

Zamri said the latest incident occurred on June 8, whereby a Bangladeshi worker was issued with a RM100 compound under Section 47 (1)(a) of the Building, Street and Drainage Act.

The worker, he said, was found to be discarding rubbish at Lorong Taman Ipoh 1 in Ipoh Garden South.

“During our observation from 9am to noon, we have issued six compounds worth RM950 in fine under the Act and Garbage Disposal, Collection and Waste Disposal By-law to traders,” he said.

“This included cases whereby shopowners did not have garbage bins after being advised to do so,” he added.

Zamri said the city council issued 627 compounds worth RM86,440 in fine last year.

“As of May this year, some 1,579 compounds worth RM332,600 in fine have been issued,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/14/plainclothes-officers-on-lookout-for-litterbugs/

No end in sight for illegal dumpsite in back alley - The Star Metro Perak

Jun 7, 2017

The illegal dumpsite near Lebuh Taman Ipoh, Ipoh Garden South, has been around for years. Concerned residents have to put up with the stench, besides fearing it could lead to pest infestation and other health concerns.

A large pile of garbage strewn all over the place is becoming a “fixture” at a back alley near Lebuh Taman Ipoh, Ipoh Garden South.

The unsightly pile of waste has been lying there for months and residents said the spot had been regarded as a dumpsite for years.

A nurse working for a clinic behind which the rubbish was discarded, who only wanted to be known as Liah, said she had no idea why or who created the illegal dumpsite there.

“The garbage pile comes and goes. It has been like this for ages.

“Council workers will only clear it once in a blue moon,” she told StarMetro.

“I will lodge a complaint whenever the garbage piles up there.

“The last time it was cleared was about two months ago, but as you can see, the cycle continues,” she added.

An insurance agent, who declined to be named, said he felt powerless as he watched people habitually throwing rubbish there.

“I’ve tried to tell the person off but was told to mind my own business.

“It’s easy for them to just throw there, as long as it’s not near their premises or shops,” he said.

“I believe the culprits also include those living around here,” he added.

The insurance agent, in his 40s, said enforcement should be beefed up at all commercial areas, especially those with many eateries.

“Garbage attracts rats, flies and other pests. The authorities should really do something about this.

“The city council always talk about wanting to make Ipoh a clean city. I don’t think it can become a reality,” he said.

“While the people should be responsible in keeping the city clean, it’s still the duty of the council to ensure the city is clean,” he added.

Ipoh Cith Watch president Prof Dr Richard Ng said he spoke to several people on the matter and found that some shopkeepers there were among the culprits who discarded garbage at the site daily before 9am.

“The shopkeepers have been advised not to do so but they remained stubborn.

“A no-littering signage that was put there has also gone missing,” he said.

Ng said the city council should be more responsive to clear the garbage pile away every morning.

“They should also send out two non-uniform wearing enforcement officers to patrol the area and take pictures of the culprits,” he said.

“The officers should then follow the culprits back to their shops and fine them RM500 on the spot,” he added.

When contacted, a city council spokesman said they would look into the matter and clear the garbage pile as soon as possible.

Rubbish dumping woes in Laluan Puncak Jelapang left unresolved despite complaints - The Star

May 27, 2015

NUMEROUS complaints to the Ipoh City Council on three illegal dumpsites located at different rows of Laluan Puncak Jelapang have fallen on deaf ears.

Retiree Y.K.Chin said the problem was not new and has been going on for many years, and that each time he called the council, they would assure him that the matter was being looked into.

He said there were no houses situated at Laluan Puncak Jelapang 1, while there was one house each on Laluan Puncak Jelapang 2 and 3.

Chin, who is in his late 70s, said after his recent complaint to the council, he was happy when he saw two workers at the site but that his joy was shortlived because the workers only swept the dried leaves into heaps and left them at the road shoulder.

He said this was a futile exercise because when it rained, coupled with strong winds, the leaves were scattered again.

“However, the heaps of rubbish that include old beds, cupboards, mattresses, broken furniture, bottles and plastics were left untouched.

“The rubbish at the three illegal dumpsites have been accumulated over the years,” he told MetroPerak.

Chin said just last week when he went to take photographs of the dumpsites, he was swamped by mosquitoes, and bitten.

He said the area is very shady, and an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, as well as home to rodents and creepy crawlies.

He claimed snakes have entered his house twice, and the stench from the dumpsites were unbearable, especially when it rained or whenever the wind blew in his direction.

“The site has become so convenient for people to throw their unwanted waste because only two houses are situated there.

“I have caught some people coming in their cars, and lorries as well to dump rubbish at the site.

“I shouted at them, and told them to leave the place before I reported them to the authorities,” he said.

Chin said he hoped the council would do something about the illegal dumpsites, before the area becomes a permanent dumping ground.

ICW launched its first Community Recycling Project in Perak

April 5 2015 marked another milestone for Ipoh City Watch (ICW) when it has successfully launched the first Community Recycling Project in collaboration with Perak SW Corp and Rukun Tetangga Jelapang. 

The historical project was launched by YB Dato' Rusnah Kassim, the Perak State Committee Chairman for Women Development, Family and Community Welfare. Also present include Puan Hajah Fatimah Binti Ahmad, the Perak State SW Corp Director and Mr. Thinakaran Sarangabanly, chairman RT Jelapang. 

About 150 residents of Taman Jelapang Tambahan who will be involved in this project attended the occassion. Several Ipoh City Councillors and Community Heads were also present. Clr M. Veeran who represented the mayor Datuk Harun Rawi together with Clr Loh and Community head Low Guo Nan. The objective of the project is to educate and explain to the publis on the importance of garbage separation and recycling to help keep the environment clean, reduce illegal dumping and earn additional income from their efforts. 

This project will be closely monitored by SW Corp and ICW within the next three months to see its impact. The success of this project will help create a model for recycling for other communities in Malaysia.