DBKL to deploy personnel to curb vandalism

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will deploy enforcement personnel at the Saloma Link to keep homeless people and vandals away from the new landmark in the capital.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said problems pertaining to homeless people and vandalism often occurred at tourist-focused areas.

“We established several beautiful places in Kuala Lumpur but that’s where (the homeless) hang out. We need to address this problem as soon as possible and take the homeless to transit houses,” he told reporters after the “Kenduri Rakyat” event in conjunction with the Federal Territory Day celebrations here yesterday.

The Saloma Link, a 370-metre pedestrian bridge connecting Kampung Baru and the newly-opened area near the Petronas Twin Towers, was reported to have become prone to vandalism, with rubbish thrown everywhere and turned into a new “nest” by the homeless, only days after it was opened to the public early this month.

Khalid said about 100 enforcement personnel would be deployed on shifts to monitor and patrol the pedestrian bridge as well as the nearby areas such as Jalan Saloma, Jalan P. Ramlee and Kampung Baru, apart from the installation of closed-circuit television cameras.

He added that the damage had been repaired and urged the public to appreciate and use the public facilities well.

On another development, Khalid also urged more private and non-governmental organisations to come forward and participate in the People’s Housing Project (PPR) and Public

Housing (PA) adoption programme in the capital.

He said thus far, seven PPRs and PAs were involved in the programme, including the Negri Sembilan PA and the Perak PA in Sentul.

The programme, which began in December last year, is aimed at providing comfort to the people living in the PPRs and PAs, thus addressing social problems often associated with the areas.

“We encourage developers (and the private sector) with projects in Kuala Lumpur to participate in the programme where they will work with resident committee members to create a corporate social responsibility initiative and organise activities that include tuition classes, motivation programmes as well as to provide facilities such as multipurpose halls,” he said. – Bernama