Let down by poorly maintained surau

GEORGE TOWN: Muslim shoppers are complaining about the sorry state of a surau in a major mall here.

The surau is located at the subbasement floor, near a carwash and at the far end of the parking lot.

Checks by the New Straits Times found that a foul stench was coming out from the surau, which has no proper ventilation.

The surau seemed to have been neglected for a long time and creating unease among its users.

Major cracks have appeared on its walls inside the men’s surau, while the women’s surau looked neater.

There was no proper ablution area for women to clean themselves before performing their prayers.

The water pipes also looked rusty and the water does not look clean at all.

The shocking condition of the surau went viral on social media a few days ago, prompting criticism from Penangites who visited the shopping mall.

Salahudeen Ali Kadir, 23, who works at an adjacent shopping mall, said the surau had been left unkempt for a few years now.

“I came here a few years ago to perform my prayers, but cancelled my plan to do so, after stumbling upon the disgusting condition.

“Today, it still looks the same as how it used to be, and I do not know why there is no one taking care of the mess,” he said.

Salahudeen said the shopping mall management’s reluctance to correct the situation could be due to the presence of a mosque nearby.

“Maybe they think that not many people will use the surau as there is another mosque within walking distance for them to use,” he added.