Volunteers, villagers combine efforts to clean popular stairway
MIRI: Locals, especially running enthusiasts, may be familiar with the ‘hundreds of steps’ stairway at the foot of Kampung Lereng Bukit which leads to Kampung Haji Waheed.
Lack of maintenance and humid weather have caused the stairway to be covered with algae.
A group of volunteers, led by Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and Bulatan Park Runners Club ( BPRC) chairman Tang Swee Ming managed to clear up the stairway on the first day of New Year, in hopes that the move will kickstart consistent cleaning up of the popular running route.
“We did the ‘ gotong-royong’ with the participation of BPRC, volunteers and residents of both Kampung Lereng Bukit and Kampung Haji Waheed, solely because it (the stairway) is now old and the growth of algae pose risks to runners who love coming here.
“Of course, this will not be a one- off activity, but an ongoing effort and we would like to invite the participation of Miri City Council to join us in this.”
During the ‘gotong-royong’, it was noted that a pavilion which was often used as a resting stop was filled with stagnant water and dirt due to rain.
“I was told that the design of this pavilion was a standard one. However, the stagnant water is keeping people from using it. It is best to revise the design so that all these inconveniences can be eliminated and the improved facility will be able to be used again by the public,” said Ting.
Meanwhile, on the missing battery from a solar light panel which was installed at Kampung Haji Waheed more than a year ago, Ting urged any individuals who knew the location of the battery or how to find the battery, to inform him or his office.
According to him, the battery was stolen a month ago.
“A few solar panels were installed following a request from the residents because they have had to drive in the dark for quite a long time. I made arrangements to purchase and install the solar panels to light up the place.
“To replace the missing battery means an additional estimated cost of RM2, 000. More importantly, it is not available locally, and we had to order it from a foreign country,” Ting said.
Ting appealed for goodwill from anyone who has information about the battery to have it returned, saying that the residents will be grateful for the gesture, although he is not holding his breath for the recovery of the missing battery.