Factory noise, dust disturb Kampung Cheras Baru residents

KUALA LUMPUR: Most people love to open their windows and doors each day to let in the fresh air, but residents of Jalan 21A, Kampung Cheras Baru, here would not even dream of it.
In fact, they have had their doors and windows shut tight all year last year to prevent dust creeping in from the factories nearby.
According to CK Chong, 65, the dust from the marble-cutting activities in a factory in front of his house has made life miserable for his family.
"The lorries moving in and out of the factory cause the dust to fly all over, even to our house. The dust is also making my skin problem worse and difficult to heal," he told reporters here today.
To make matters worse, the factories operating behind his house also emit loud noises from morning till late at night, disturbing the residents' peace.
"At one point, we could not even sleep at night because the loud noise continued until 11pm...they only stopped after we lodged a complaint. Only then did they stop work at 9pm," he said.
Housewife Tan Siew Li, 66, said she has had to mop the house all day because it was covered in dust.
In addition, she said, the family had to bear with the waste products from the factories which were dumped in front of her house, blocking the road.
"We are worried that if this persists, the dust and loud noise will affect the health of the residents," she said.
Meanwhile, Cheras MCA Wanita Head Heng Sinn Yee said the party was aware of the residents' complaints about the factory operations which exceeded the normal working hours.
"I will monitor the situation and identify the status of the land where the factory is before bringing up the matter with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to take further action.
"We want to investigate the status of the factories because there is a possibility that they are operating illegally as this is a housing area, factories cannot operate here," she said.
DBKL deputy director of City Planning, Samsudin Abdul Kadir, said notices would be issued to these factories which operate beyond the stipulated times.
"We will also issue a warning to the marble factory which has placed their tools and materials in front of the residents' homes, blocking the roads," he said. — Bernama