The four blocks of vacant old government quarters in Jalan Dato’ Dalam, Johor Baru, located next to the now-closed Ayer Molek prison have become an eyesore.
Residents claim that the rundown buildings are frequented by drug addicts and this has caused jitters in those living nearby.
They also fear for the safety of schoolchildren at nearby SK Ayer Molek, as drug addicts and vagrants frequent the abandoned buildings daily.
Security guard Muhammad Nur Ridhuan Mohd Yazid says the buildings were previously targeted by scrap metal scavangers and looters.
“Now, drug addicts and vagrants have made it their haunt. No one is monitoring the buildings,” he says.
Ridhuan says the fence separating the buildings and school has holes, and this allows people to trespass on the school compound.
He says recently, RM350 went missing from the collection box at the school and he suspected it may have been the doing of vagrants or drug addicts.
ACTIONLINE:
Johor Baru Mayor A. Rahim Nin will meet the landowners to ask them to clean up the property and maintain the buildings.
He says the abandoned buildings are posing a threat to residents in the area, as well as pupils and teachers at an adjacent school.
“I will ask the owners to clean up,” Rahim says.