Enforcement, change of mentality needed

KUALA LUMPUR: The plan by Kuala Lumpur City Hall to install netting at People’s Housing Projects (PPRs) to catch items thrown from upper floors has drawn a mixed response from Netizens.

From a poll conducted by the

New Straits Times Online, of 1,900 votes, 1,102 Netizens (58 per cent) disagreed that installing netting would protect passers-by from being hit by objects.

Although the measure would solve the problem temporarily, a large number of Netizens agreed that a more permanent solution could be achieved only through stricter enforcement and a change of mentality.

Iqa Chan said while the move would be good temporarily, installing netting might give the impression that it was okay to throw objects from the upper floors.

“People will think that there is nothing wrong with throwing things down from their homes because there is a net.

“Perhaps, a stricter law should be implemented. Impose a heavier penalty on those who commit the offence.”

Mauve Orchid said it was not the infrastructure or facilities that should be added. Instead, she said, it should be mentality and enforcement that needed to be changed.

Iqmal Samsudin said installing netting may reduce the risk of someone getting hit by thrown objects.

“It is hard to work on people’s mindset. Some are just ignorant. We need to focus on both, installing the safety nets and also work on people’s mindset.

“This would make a bit of a difference. Focusing on one matter is a waste of time.”

Some Netizens suggested what punishment could be meted out to the culprits if found guilty.

Mazlinda Tahir said: “Officers should do surprise inspection and make sure there are no potted plants on the window or corridor ledge.

“If caught, a fine should be imposed. If the litter had injured people, action should be taken against the culprits.

“Install close-circuit televisions in the lift, at the lift lobby and entrance gates, as well as the staircases.

“A head should be appointed and a committee established to hold monthly spring cleaning at the PPR and in its corridors.”

Nadia Carey called on authorities to take action against residents living in buildings that were dirty.

“Make every unit pay for the damage if they can’t keep the place clean to make them understand the seriousness of the issue,” she said.

A Facebook user called on authorities to emulate Singapore’s law for killer litter.

“One of my neighbours, a mother of four, was a victim of killer litter in the 1980s. Prior to the incident, Singapore had come up with harsher punishment for killer litter offenders,” said Tukiman Warji.

In Singapore, people found guilty of killer litter could receive up to six months’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of S$2,500 (RM7,500).

On Tuesday, Kuala Lumpur City Hall housing management and community development director Wan Mohammad Ghazali Nor said strict action, including sealing PPR units, would be taken against residents found throwing items from upper floors.

He said City Hall had issued notices to PPR units on the matter, but they fell on deaf ears.

On Monday, S. Sathiswaran, 15, a Form Three student of SMK La Salle in Petaling Jaya, was killed at the scene when a chair, thrown from an upper floor at the Seri Pantai People’s Housing Project, struck his head.