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.
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Contractors appointed by waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd said this has hindered their work to keep the city clean.
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NewsTranscript
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01:22The outdated drains and rapid development in the area will also complicate the cleaning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.