Goh (right) showing the damaged drain and wall to Jeganathan.
THE condition of a partially collapsed drain at Jalan Jeram Masjid in Muar has raised major concerns among its residents.
Despite the worsening condition of the drain, they say no action has been taken by the authorities to address the matter.
Shop owner, Goh Fiak Keng, 88, said the drain must be repaired immediately as “it is only a matter of time before it completely collapses”.
“My shop, which is also where I live, is located next to the drain. When it rains, there is stench from the drain.
“If the drain completely collapses, the walls and my gate will surely collapse as well.”
Goh added that the problems with the drain started about 15 years ago and gradually got worse over the years.
“It has now reached an alarming point and I really hope this could be addressed immediately,” he said to reporters in a press conference arranged by S. Jeganathan, the Independent
candidate for the Simpang Jeram by-election.
Goh added that cracks around the drain had also become hiding places for pests such as snakes.
“I have seen snakes coming out of the drain several times this year alone. I am worried that the snakes will someday bite someone,” he said.
He added that he had put several round concrete blocks against the side of the drain to prevent further collapse.
“I put up the blocks as a temporary solution as I am worried that the drain will collapse during the rainy season,” he said.
Another resident, known only as Ling, said the site had been visited by several government agencies previously.
“The Muar Municipal Council and the Muar Public Works Department came to check on the condition of the drain but no action was taken.
“Since this is an election period, I hope to highlight this matter, so that whoever is elected assemblyman, will do something about it,” she said.
Jeganathan said as part of his campaign, he was going door-to-door to visit voters to ask about the problems they faced.
“I hope to fix this problem among many others that the constituents have raised with me, if I win the election.
“Even if I do not win, I will still follow up on the matter under my own non-governmental organisation (NGO), but it may be harder for me to get things done,” he said.
Jeganathan is in a three- cornered fight against Pakatan Harapan’s Nazri Abdul Rahman and Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya in the by-election on Sept 9.
