Saturday January 26, 2013

A drain too far from where boy went missing

SUBANG: While many speculate that six-year-old William Yau Zhen Zhong had fallen into a drain when he went missing more than a week ago, a check by The Star found no large drain near the electronics appliance shop in Putra Heights where he was last seen.

Just a 10-minute drive away, however, lies the quaint Kampung Bukit Lanchong, which is not far from the banks of the Klang River.

If little William had walked from Putra Heights, he would have had to stop and catch his breath several times before arriving at the quiet village. The route to Kampung Bukit Lanchong is not exactly a straight one either and would have confused a child, especially at night.

Small bungalows dot the predominantly Malay village and a stone's throw away is a new line of urban-looking semi-detached houses.

Next to this new development is a patch filled with undergrowth and lalang. Cut through that and the Klang River can be seen.

The village has an irrigation system and although padi fields are missing, villagers have fruit trees in their compounds.

Children play and fish by the banks of the irrigation area and the gates to the turnkey are left wide open.

The caretaker there who requested anonymity said villagers liked to fish there and he would accompany any visitor to the turnkey.

Water in the irrigation ditch was high yesterday, but the caretaker said it was usually shallow, just below the knee.

“It could have been the rain.”

News

Saturday January 26, 2013

A drain too far from where boy went missing