SUNGAI SIPUT: PATIENCE is wearing thin for thousands of residents living in the vicinity of the infamous dumpsite here since the stench from the mounds of rubbish has worsened.
The landfill, located on the right side of the old road to Kuala Kangsar, is an eyesore for passers-by since piles of garbage lie scattered around.
A check by the Streets team recently saw that trash mounds were growing by the roadside as there was no more room left in the landfill.
Garbage trucks, which serviced the Sungai Siput and Kuala Kangsar districts, were spotted dumping their daily collection near the landfill's entrance.
Residents claimed that they had made numerous complaints to the Kuala Kangsar City Council (KKCC) but to no avail.
L.M. Chan, 48, from Kampung Lim Tang, who lives in Taman Delima Salak Baru, some three kilometres from the site, said he had been gravely affected by the stench of rotting waste for years now.
"We can't bear the stench since more and more rubbish is being piled at the site.
"I heard from some friends who grew up here that the landfill used to be an empty flat land many years back.
"Now, it has grown into a sizeable hill," said Chan, adding that there were stray animals roaming around the landfill.
Kampung Salak Lama resident, S. Pandian, 75, said some of his neighbours had since moved out because of the stench.
"Only those who cannot afford to move have remained. Our property prices are also affected.
"Who would want to live next to an eyesore and bear the stink every day?
"It is even worse when it rains. Besides, I have seen snakes and monitor lizards crawling out from the landfill," he added.
A grandfather of 12, Pandian said it was difficult to organise family gatherings at his house.
"My family cannot bear the stench.
"Although I have lived in the neighbourhood for about 10 years, I still have not gotten used to the stench," he lamented.
K. Sugumaran, 53, from Kampung Sungai Buloh, concurred with Chan and Pandian's views, saying the stench has been a source of embarrassment for those living near the landfill.
"When guests come over to my house, they find it difficult to eat because they are put off by the horrible stench.
"There are many flies and mosquitoes in our residential area because of this landfill.
"The air is so polluted that my children often fall sick," said Sugumaran, who felt it was time for the KKCC to shift the landfill.
Meanwhile, Sungai Siput Barisan National coordinator R. Ganasen pointed out that close to 5,000 residents in the area were affected by the dump site and pollution.
"I have received many complaints, and I have forwarded them to the KKCC. The authorities are aware of it and are in the midst of discussions.
"The KKCC has also appointed a new contractor to manage the landfill until an amicable solution is reached," he added.
There are seven residential neighbourhoods, a hospital, restaurants and a police station not far from the dumpsite.
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