KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has finally destroyed illegal structures that have been causing issues for waste cleaners in Pudu for more than a year. These structures were erected by licensed traders at the Lorong Baba back lane and Jalan Nyonya side lane, which have been obstructing the cleaning crew’s work and causing complaints from Alam Flora waste cleaners.
After receiving numerous complaints from the cleaning crew, DBKL carried out a joint demolition operation involving various departments, Air Selangor, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), and the police. This operation utilized three lorries, a backhoe, shovels, a tow truck, demolition hammer, and drills to remove the structures. It took at least five hours to clear the area.
StarMetro first highlighted the issue in March after complaints from waste cleaners and revealed that traders had set up stalls and permanent structures along the back lanes without authorization, in violation of licensing by-laws. They also left behind mobile food kiosks, cooking stoves, built-in sinks, and exhaust fans.
According to a DBKL enforcement officer, the cost of the demolition exercise has yet to be determined, but the traders responsible for the obstructions will have to bear the removal cost once the figures are available.
Following the news article, DBKL convinced traders whose licenses were set to expire in November to vacate the premises earlier, which they eventually did in June. However, the obstructions remained at the site.
When contacted, Alam Flora workers expressed gratitude to DBKL for clearing up the lanes, noting that it would make their job much easier and allow rubbish lorries to maneuver without hitting anything. Business owners in the area also expressed happiness over the clean-up project but requested that DBKL continue to monitor the area to prevent traders from returning.
StarMetro’s article on the illegal structures on Sept 25, 2023.
