Water woes dampen Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangsar

KUALA LUMPUR – Residents in Bangsar are being forced to observe the Chinese New Year festive season with dry pipes, less than three weeks after a similar water supply disruption marred celebrations at the turn of the year on January 1.

According an update on Air Selangor’s app at 9.44am, the affected areas are Taman Lucky, Jalan Cenderai, Jalan Taban, part of Jalan Maarof, part of Lorong Maarof, Jalan Limau Manis, Jalan Limau Nipis, Jalan Limau Kasturi, and Lorong Maarof 1.

“Pipe burst repair work has begun and is expected to be completed at (about) 5.30pm Friday (today),” said the message.

“We are optimising our effort to speed up the repair work and minimise the impact of disruption to the affected customers.”

Most residents have become physically and mentally exhausted due to supply disturbances over the years.

They are hoping to have long-term and inclusive solutions to prevent water cuts due to ongoing repair works. 

According to Lucky Garden Resident Association president Sarikha Kandasamy who has lived in the Bangsar area for more than 20 years, the disruptions have become one of her main concerns due to their frequency. 

“I have contacted Air Selangor and they also are trying to help us as much as they can. We actually can’t blame them too as the problem all starts with town planning. 

“The authorities who give all the permissions for the redevelopment of the infrastructures need to have a conditional agreement before giving the approvals. 

“The authorities must do all the assessments to check and ensure whether the water resources are enough for the residents just like traffic impact assessment”, she said. 

Sarikha added that with the assistance of Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadhil, two large suction tanks and water for drinking and cooking were distributed to households last night. 

In addition, water tankers are being mobilised to offer affected homes water supply assistance. 

Attempts are being made to ensure all residents, including infants, the elderly, those who are ill, and others, receive water assistance for the time being to meet their daily needs. 

Meanwhile, Bangsar Park Resident Association president Nitesh Malani said the federal government needs to step in to help eradicate the problem.

“We really hope that this issue is discussed and our prime minister must take a proper solution to resolve it,” he said. 

“Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) also needs to look into this issue, and they should not only be entrusted to look for land and road issues alone. 

“This water issue is equally important as the land and road issues and I want the authorities to give proper attention to resolve this. 

“Not only that, all the old water piper metres in every residential area in Bangsar should be changed into new ones to avoid this kind of disruption”, he said. 

Restaurants, clinics need water for hygiene

Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association president Charles Tan lamented that the water disruption had been coincidently happening for all the festivals. 

“Like Deepavali, Christmas, new year, and now Chinese New Year, we are having the same issues. 

“We can understand that the repair works are ongoing, yet the festivals are very important occasions for us since they take place once a year. 

“Even tomorrow, we are scheduled to have a Chinese New Year gathering with our residents’ association members which we need to postpone now due to the water disruption”, he said. 

He further added that the responsible authorities should give water supply assistance, especially to the restaurants and clinics, since cleanliness is very important for such premises. 

Furthermore, since cooking at home can be difficult due to water disruption, residents were forced to buy food from restaurants.  

He stressed that maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in restaurants while serving food to the customers is very important as it is mandatory for public health. – The Vibes, January 20, 2023