MP: Rat problem caused by garbage - The Star

May 13, 2008

THE campaign to catch rats in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, is akin to putting the cart before the horse, according to Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong.

“The problem should be tackled from the akar ubi (root),” Wee said.

Please help: Wee visiting one of the houses at Wangsa Maju.

He said that instead of focusing on catching rats, the massive rubbish all over the place should be cleared.

“There should be proper places for people to throw rubbish. Without the rubbish, there won’t be any rats,” he said.

Wee pointed out the piles of rubbish around Wangsa Maju when he visited the Teratai Mewah market on Sunday.

“Wangsa Maju is a very big area, so there are some places that I had not visited. Those with problems can come to my centre every Wednesday night or visit my blog,” he said.

During his round, Wee was approached by many residents and market traders who told him their grouses, such as poor water supply, drainage and housing problems.

A 75-year-old lady complained to him about the traffic situation and the lack of zebra crossing.

“Three years ago, we were promised by the previous MP that there would be a zebra crossing but no action has been taken till now,” she said.

“It’s very dangerous for the elderly to cross the roads. I’m old and I have to use a walking stick to walk,” she said.

Wee said he hoped that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be more responsive to the needs of the people.

“We don’t have a state government here so the DBKL is like the state government. We, MPs, are not DBKL officers and so cannot take over their role,” he said.

Wee said that he did the work of almost three people, and having to attend to such matters about basic amenities would affect his role as an MP.

“I have just become the MP and there are so many problems in Wangsa Maju that have existed for years, it shows that Wangsa Maju has been neglected,” he said.

“I’m not in an enviable position because I had to start from zero,” he said, “but I am beginning to get organised with my service centre having been set up.”

After visiting the market, Wee went to the Kampung Lee Kong Chian community hall as there were complaints from the residents there, who claimed that DBKL workers marked their houses with red paint.

According to Lee Seng Chong, 60, the local resident association vice-presiden, the DBKL officers should have notified them earlier before spraying paint

“Residents are worried and confused about what is happening,” he said.

Lee said that some residents had given their houses a new coat of paint but now their walls were scarred by the red paint.

When Lee and representatives of the residents questioned a DBKL officer, they were told that it was for census purposes.

“They should have come to our residents association instead as we have all the records of the population here,” Lee said.

Wee promised to raise the matter when he meets with the DBKL officers this week.