Tuesday July 24, 2012
No more ‘land mines’
By ELWEEN LOKE
elween@thestar.com.my
TRADERS at the Mambang Diawan wet market who arrive by 5am every day to open for business are forced to tread cautiously for for fear of falling down.
The “land mines” in the market — in the form of potholes, uneven flooring and missing drain covers — could cause accidents and considerable harm to a person.
Those doing their marketing, especially the elderly, have not been spared.
Smoother walk: Mambang Diawan wet market customers can walk safely without the fear of falling into the drains since the floors have been cemented. One of the victims was 71-year-old chicken seller Chong Yet Leng, who fell into a knee-high drain and injured her legs recently.
Their problem was finally resolved two weeks ago — thanks to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Dr Chua, who is also Perak MCA chairman, had made sure the Kampar district council rectified the problem after fishmonger Leong Sek Nam, 61, highlighted the problem to him during his visit to the market on May 18.
The council had subsquently cemented the drains, repaired the potholes and levelled the floor.
Relief was written on the face of the traders when The Star visited the market to have a closer look at the condition of the place last Saturday.
“Fortunately, someone brought up the problem to him,” said Chong, adding that she was recuperating at home when Dr Chua visited the market.
Urgent attention please: A filepic of Dr Chua discussing with Leong (right) about missing drain covers at the Mambang Diawan wet market in May. Vegetable seller Chang Meng, 56, said cementing the drains was a better option than replacing the metal drain covers which could get stolen again.
“We have an alternative drainage system which I think is sufficient to channel excess water out of the market,” he added.
Another vegetable seller, who only wished to be known as Lee, said the council should also level the curb that lined the stalls.
She said some traders had forked out their own money to level the curbs.
A dried food trader, whose stall is located at a corner, complained that the cemented drain had obstructed the flow of water in front of his stall.
“A pool of water forms every time council workers wash the market.
“I hope the council can resolve this problem,” said the trader, known only as Tee.
He also hoped the council could lay concrete slabs over the drains along the sidewalk outside the market.
“The villagers can park their bicycle or motorcycle on the slabs instead of leaving them on the narrow road by the drain,” Tee added.
He said the haphazard parking of the two-wheelers had obstructed traffic flow, adding that it was a source of frustration for road users during peak hours in the morning.
Source:
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