A terrace house in Taman Mewah Jaya 2 has been cleaned up by Klang Municipal Council (MPK) workers after neighbours complained that its occupant had been hoarding rubbish.

Piles of rubbish, cardboard boxes and plastic bottles had filled the car porch and the mess irked immediate neighbours.

Some of the residents in the neighbourhood thanked StarMetro for highlighting the issue in a Feb 26 report with the headline “Hoarding a public health concern” as it not only raised awareness but also prompted a response from MPK.

MPK Corporate Communications Department director Norfiza Mahfiz said the council took action against hoarders under the Local Government Act 1976 Section 82(5) and Section 81(C), where a notice was sent to the houseowner to clean up. MPK had pasted a notice on the gate of the hoarder’s house, giving the owner one week to clear the rubbish but the person had failed to do so.

Residents in the area believed that the occupant of the house was a compulsive hoarder and the clutter had been there for two years.

One neighbour, Gavin Gomez, 45, said the residents had been frustrated with the unkempt condition of the house.

“The rubbish emitted a smell that attracted rats, cockroaches and even monitor lizards.

“We are thankful that MPK has stepped in and cleared the rubbish,” he said.

Another resident, Wong Chee Meng, 53, said although some empathised with the hoarder, the person’s habit was affecting the people in the neighbourhood and discouraging potential house buyers.

“We feel that the person needs counselling and mental health treatment,” he added.

MPK’s Health Department director Azmi Muji, who headed the operation, said 12 workers including five enforcement officers were involved in the clean-up.

“It took us one-and-a-half hours to clean up the car porch.

“The council has cleared this house of clutter thrice since 2016 but the problem recurs.

“Our council has received numerous complaints on this issue.

“It is a fire hazard and the rubbish creates an environment for pests to thrive and that becomes a nuisance for neighbours,” he said.

MPK workers at the site said one and a half tonnes of rubbish was taken out from the car porch area.

Azmi added that MPK would assist the occupant and have the case referred to the Klang District Health Department.

“We will leave it to the health department to refer the person to a government hospital for counselling and treatment to address his compulsive hoarding behaviour.

“We believe it’s a mental health issue and the person needs some support.

“I hope the person’s next of kin can come in to help or at the very least, the hoarder would be willing to get help,” he said.

Port Klang Fire and Rescue Station chief Razif Mohmad Haris said clutter of this nature could easily become fuel for a fire that could rapidly spread and endanger the row of terrace houses.

“Hoarding is a fire hazard,” he added.

Article Credit - 
[1] The Star 
[2] The Star