Zulkurnain (second from right) and Yap (right) look on as KDEB contractors clear the drains of grease and waste during a joint operation along the back lanes of Jalan Puteri 2/3 and 2/4 in Bandar Puteri, Puchong.
SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) carried out a three-day operation to clean drains along the back lanes of Jalan Puteri 2/3 and 2/4 in Bandar Puteri Puchong, Selangor.
The difficult task involved removing, and in some cases breaking, concrete drain cover slabs to facilitate the cleaning.
MBSJ deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali said the cleaning operation was conducted jointly with KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd.
He said it was necessary due to the accumulation of grease and waste in the drainage system, affecting a 150m stretch in the back lanes.
He added that the concrete slabs had made it difficult for contractors to remove the waste and grease that were clogging the drains.
The operation involved 25 personnel from KDEB contractors and several MBSJ departments.
Mohd Zulkurnain said there were about 28 restaurants in the area, and the authorities suspected that some had discharged grease and waste into the drains. Consequently, the drains were clogged and emitted foul odours.
“The cleaning equipment utilised for the operation includes a jetter, a vacuum truck and hacking equipment,” said Mohd Zulkurnain.
He said heavy rain over the past few days resulted in water overflowing from the clogged drains onto the streets.
“The city council workers had to break concrete slabs that were obstructing the drain-cleaning process,” he said during a press conference on the final day of the operation in Bandar Puteri Puchong.
The broken slabs were removed from the site after the operation.
Mohd Zulkurnain said no compounds were issued during the operation but urged business owners to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of back lanes as well as to abide by MBSJ’s regulations.
“This enforcement action was taken without prior notice to the premises’ owners, in accordance with Section 46 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133)” he said, stressing that there would be no compromise on this issue as it affected public health.
He advised restaurant owners to instal a grease trap, as discharging grease straight into the drains was not permitted.
“Eatery owners without a grease trap will be fined RM500, and those found having illegal structures obstructing back lanes will be fined RM1,000.
“MBSJ is planning to hold another operation next week, to remove larger illegal structures along the back lanes of Jalan Puteri 2/3 and 2/4,” he added.
MBSJ MPP Zone 16 councillor George Yap, who was also present at the clean-up, said many business owners were unable to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic, and some of them moved to new locations.
As a result, he said the back alleys were neglected and not properly maintained.
“It is essential for business owners to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings,” he said, and urged them to work with MBSJ in keeping the area clean to prevent pest infestation.
“Although we have issued many compounds in the past, some business owners have ignored them. However, the council is very serious about enforcing the regulations and ensuring that the area is kept pristine,” Yap added.
Also present during the operation was MBSJ Environmental Management Department director Azura Mohd Don.
Source: thestar