Articles / Newsletter
01-Feb-2022 | 
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Bavani M, Metro News, TheStarOnline
A signboard near Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur that has been defaced. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
A NON-governmental organisation says unknown culprits are destroying its good work in cleaning up a stretch of Sungai Klang near Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur.
Friends of Sungai Klang Mid Valley River Three (FoSK TMR3) co-founder Syuen Toh said plastic waste fished out of the river and collected for recycling was burnt.
Metal and other materials kept at the riverside nursery were also destroyed in the fire.
“This was the second arson incident here. The first occurred in December.
“The vandals also cut the mesh wire placed along the sides of a pedestrian bridge to stop rubbish from entering the garden below.
“Among the things thrown below included shopping carts.
“Our pollinating flower plants planted to attract bees and butterflies were also destroyed, and the signage removed,” she said.
Also defaced was the River of Life public outreach programme signboard at the site.
FoSK TMR3 is an award-winning NGO that was co-founded by Toh and Kennedy Michael to transform Sungai Klang into a “river park”.
Since it started three years ago, volunteers have pulled out 4,000kg of rubbish from the river.
Toh said they had previously caught individuals polluting the river.
“We caught a food trader throwing rubbish into the river on camera and we posted it on social media.
“We also took pictures of a taxi driver throwing rubbish into the river from the bridge.
“We have spoken to the culprits and advised them not to throw rubbish into the river,” she said.
Toh added that people were also using a mini staircase connected to the bridge to get to the riverbank area.
Owners of Abdullah Hukum apartments nearby have been pasting room-for-rent advertisements on the bridge, defacing the area with stickers.
“I have asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to extend the barrier gate for the upper part of the existing entrance to the bridge to deny access to these vandals,” said Toh.
The gate is located on the side of the bridge and was built for volunteers involved in the river clean-up.
“We hope the authorities can help seal the area so intruders cannot enter,” she added.
When contacted, DID deputy director Ratna Rajah Sivapiragasam asked the NGO to put a request for a barrier in writing and promised to raise the matter with DBKL.