Offensive odours next door

PETALING JAYA (Dec 3): Kampung Seri Sungai Buloh Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) has lodged a complaint with Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) that has yest to be addressed, regarding an "unbearable smell".

The Star reports that a sesame seed oil manufacturer and coffeeship operator located beside a plastic and paper recycling business has lodged a complaint with the MBSA.

Kampung Seri Sungai Buloh JKKK chairman Hoo Sook Wan was quoted as saying that the factory began operations in early 2017, and a terrible smell was noticed a few months later.

“The sesame seed oil manufacturer and the coffeeshop operator complained to me about the smell. Even the noodle manufacturer across the road found the smell intolerable,” she said.

The daily reports that sesame seed oil company sales manager, Koh Chai Seong said he had written a letter to MBSA on Aug 10, 2017, and another one on Sept 9 later that year.

MBSA replied, saying a check had been carried out.

“The Enforcement Department of the MBSA Sungai Buloh division claimed there was nothing wrong and even stated that the recycling factory had the necessary licences to conduct business,” he said.

The piles of cardboard, paper and plastic stacked within the industrial lot’s premises made it a mosquito breeding ground and attracted rats, said Koh.

“In the earlier months of 2017, the business only brought in paper and plastic, but later, the items salvaged had food scraps in it. We believe these was mixed with domestic garbage and left out in the open where they rot and attract rodents,” he said.

JKK's Hoo said: “Our JKKK brought up the matter with Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian and State Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han on Aug 3 this year, but we have yet to see any affirmative action,” she said.

MBSA corporate communications head Sharin Ahmad was quoted by the daily as saying that the city council’s Sungai Buloh branch would investigate and monitor the area, in order to to verify the claims made.