The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| MPS advice gets lukewarm response Posted: 28 Jan 2013 04:24 AM PST THE call by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for traders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering free food and beverage during Thaipusam in Batu Caves to go green and maintain the cleanliness of the iconic tourist destination fell on deaf ears as none took the council's advice. MPS president Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said they had advised the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam, which manages the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves, to ensure the 35 NGOs and seven private companies providing food and drinks avoid using styrofoam and plastic containers. But the NGOs and traders said there had been no such directive by the temple management. "We were not told about this. "In fact, this is our first time distributing drinks at Batu Caves during Thaipusam. "We were only told to pay the RM2,500 fee for the stall and nothing else,'' said Saiva Siddhantha Church's S. Kailasam. Kailasam added that his organisation would look into ways to improve their service next year. Datuk Kanagaraja Raman, whose team had provided 500,000 cups of moru (a traditional blend of yoghurt, water, salt and spices) to devotees, said he was not told about the green initiative but was only advised to keep the place clean. When contacted, Mohd Azizi said he was disappointed that no one heeded MPS' advice. "It was not an order and MPS will have to clear the rubbish at the end of the day. "The sad part is that we could have saved a lot of money by going green,'' he said. Mohd Azizi added that last year MPS spent RM80,000 to clean up Batu Caves after Thaipusam. "Looking at the amount of rubbish accumulated this year, the figure is going to be higher,'' he said. Mohd Azizi also said MPS would make the green campaign mandatory next year and those found flouting the rule would be summoned. On the poor rubbish management services inside Batu Caves, Mohd Azizi said: "We have no jurisdiction inside the premises. That is solely taken care of by the temple management. "We have 90 MPS officers including contractors as well as 200 volunteers for the clean-up exercise. But that is only for the area outside the temple,'' he added. |
| Heavy rain causes floods and landslips in PJ Posted: 28 Jan 2013 04:15 AM PST RESIDENTS along Jalan Buana Perdana in Taman Buana Perdana, PJS 3, were hit by floods, with roads leading into the area inundated after a downpour on Friday. Parts of the private access road leading into the housing area were still flooded as late as 9.30pm that night. Quick Reaction Team (QRT) personnel from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) arrived at the scene at about 6pm to help clear debris and uprooted trees blocking the access road. Police personnel were also at hand to manage traffic. At one point, police had to cordon off the roads leading into the housing area as motorists faced problems exiting the housing area, especially via the private access road. "We could not see the road, the divider and the concrete kerb," said Jalan 3/26 resident Norisam Kamarudin. "The floodwaters started rising at about 4.30pm and soon the whole road was under water. Luckily, the water only reached our front yard and did not flood the interior of our home," said Norisam. Taman Buana Perdana residents' association committee member Roshen Raj, who has lived in the area for six years, said the housing area experienced flashfloods at least two or three times a year. "But this time it is really bad. Even the playground was flooded with rubbish floating about," he said. Petaling Jaya Selatan Wanita MCA division deputy chief Datin Wong Fong Leng, who visited the area at about 8pm, said the flooding was due to clogged drains at the entrance into Taman Buana Perdana. It is believed construction works further along the private access road had aggravated the situation with debris clogging the drains. "Last August, I wrote to MBPJ to complain about the clogged drains and the council workers cleaned them. For a while there were no problems but it has started again," said Wong. Other parts of Petaling Jaya were also affected by the downpour. These included parts of Taman Dato Harun (PJS 2), with trees uprooted, while a landslip occurred along Jalan 5/60 in Bukit Gasing. MBPJ's Landscape department contractors had to be called in to help clear the fallen trees off Jalan 5/60 while Engineering and Mechanical Department personnel had to use a backhoe and high-pressure hoses to clean up the mess. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Metro: Central To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan