StarMetro's article on Aug 31.
I can’t agree more with what Zazali Musa wrote in the article “Our duty to keep JB clean always”, which appeared in StarMetro on Aug 31.
He said judging by its current state of cleanliness, Johor Baru city still has a long way to go before it was fit to be considered an international metropolis.
As he mentioned, Johor Baru is the first Malaysian city visitors set eyes on when they enter the country via the Causeway, so we should keep the city clean as first impressions are important.
In my opinion, aside from giving a good impression to visitors, keeping our city clean is also good for our own comfort and well-being.
Surely all of us prefer to live and work in clean surroundings.
I recently moved to Taman Pelangi, a bustling suburb of Johor Baru.
There are many eateries, mini markets and other shops near my residence and within walking distance, so naturally one would think it is a good and convenient place to live.
However, walking along the shops is not a pleasant experience at all.
An example is Jalan Sri Pelangi and the adjacent roads.
It is depressing to see rubbish carelessly strewn on the roads and also clogging up the drains that run just outside the shops. The rubbish bins are overflowing too.
There is also often a stench in the air, especially on hot days.
What is quite unfathomable is that there are many restaurants, cafes and food stalls in the midst of these unhygienic surroundings.
The situation is even worse along the back lanes of the shophouses.
To ensure our city is kept clean at all times, both the authorities and denizens have to put in the effort.
The responsible parties should get their priorities right, for example, collecting rubbish and clearing the roads of litter should be given more urgency than blowing leaves (which are a part of nature and quite harmless).
At the same time, shopowners should ensure their premises are kept clean.
Errant or irresponsible workers or members of the public should be taken to task.
Finally, I believe customers should expect a decent, if not high, standard of cleanliness from the shops they patronise.
Many a time our tidak apa attitude is the reason there is no improvement as those unhygienic eateries continue to enjoy brisk business.
OF SIEWTaman Pelangi
Johor Baru
