ON THE BRINK: An aged widow lives in daily fear of the shophouse next door collapsing from 20 years of neglect
SUNGAI SIPUT: AN old, crumbling shop house in Jalan Kovil, here, is causing those living nearby, especially a 70-year-old widow living alone next door, to fear for their safety.
The pre-war shop house unit has been left vacant for 20 years. The facade has crumbled and some beams and pillars collapsed over the years.
Trees growing inside the shop house are also damaging the structure from within.
Wild vegetation has also sprung up on one side of the shop house.
M. Kamala, the widow who lives right next door, has been lying awake at night worrying over the possibility of the dilapidated structure collapsing.
She is also afraid that the abandoned shop house is attracting snakes, iguanas, rats and drug addicts.
"I am afraid to sleep at night, especially when it rains, because I am worried that crumbling debris will fall on my home.
"Cracks on its wall have caused water to seep into my bedroom, hall and kitchen.
"The creepers have also made their way into the air well and the roof of my unit," she said.
She claimed numerous attempts to reason with the owner had proved futile.
She had also complained to the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council, from which no action had been forthcoming.
"The authorities should tear it down as it is a danger to the neighbours," she said.
Kamala is urging the state government and relevant authorities to take action before something unfortunate happens.
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