KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public and netizens are lashing out at vandals who have defaced facilities at the newly re-opened Titiwangsa Lake Gardens and litterbugs who are creating a mess there.
Housewife Marina Abdullah, 46, who was at the park with her three children, said such acts of vandalism and littering clearly showed a lack of respect for public facilities.
“I read that the park was reopened on social media.
“But, not long after that, I read that this park was not spared from vandals and litterbugs.
“It is unacceptable. We need to take care of our park and public facilities provided here.
“I believe that stern action is needed, otherwise many more public facilities in this park will be vandalised by such irresponsible behaviour,” said Marina who is from Pantai Dalam.
Another park-goer who only wanted to be known as Chan said Malaysians must change and take good care of public facilities.
“We don’t have to pay entrance fees here, so we better take care of it.
“It is not the government’s responsibility to stop litterbugs or vandalism, but the parkgoers,” he said, adding that there were not enough rubbish bins in the park and hoped that City Hall would look into the matter.
An NST online article on the topic that was posted via Facebook on Sunday night was greeted with quite a number comments, slamming such irresponsible acts.
Basil Siing said: “Not surprising as third-class mentality still exists in our society.
“But, I believe that the public must do their part too, by taking photos of vandalism activities and report to authorities.”
Netizens have also called for closed circuit televisions to be installed at the park and stern action to be taken against the culprits.
Azura Aziz said vandalism demonstrated a lack of respect for public facilities and urged City Hall to punish the culprits.
Roz Haroun said heavy fines should imposed on the culprits.
“Make them pay like RM5,000 or pay for the damage they cause to the park, or make them do community service.
“The authorities must be strict or the park will fall apart.”
Nathia Nk said it was disappointing that all the wrongdoings must be corrected using laws.
“It’s extremely sad to see how we seek laws to correct almost all our wrongdoings.
“It all begins at home. We simply need some common sense to always keep our surroundings and parks clean.
“It is so disappointing that the mentality has gotten so bad over the years.”
Checks by the New Straits Times today found litter strewn at certain spots in the park, where empty bottles were found in between shrubs.
Heaps of rubbish in plastic bags were also found in front of the changing room near the children’s water playground.
Yesterday, City Hall’s project implementation and building maintenance department senior assistant director (architect) Noor Fazlina Rosley expressed her disappointment over the situation on her Facebook page.
“Barely five hours, one of the signages at the park had already been vandalised.
“(And) rubbish was thrown indiscriminately (but why don’t we do the same while abroad),” she said in her post, which included several pictures.
Fazlina also lambasted park-goers who used bicycles that were rented from an unlicenced operator.
“They even tried to get onto the jogging track,” she said.
Fazlina pleaded with the public to take care of the park.
Titiwangsa Lake Garden had been closed to visitors from Sept 1 last year to make way for upgrading works, involving 20.2ha of its 46.14ha.
Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said City Hall had intentionally reduced the amount of rubbish bins in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.
“There are still rubbish bins in the area, but not in a huge number.
We want to educate them (KLites) to be more independent and green-friendly. Ideally we want them to pack their rubbish and bring it back.
“At the moment, we have mobilised an enforcement team to make rounds at the park to tackle vandalism and litterbugs,” he told reporters today after announcing City Hall’s budget for 2020.
Asked if any action would be taken against vandals and litterbugs at the park, Nor Hisham replied in the affirmative.
However, he said City Hall would also want to carry out civic education.
“We have existing laws to take action against the violators, but at the same time, we want to stress on civic education.
“We often emphasised on becoming a smart city, but it would be hard to achieve it without smart people, hence, we want to educate them.
“It’s not only about loving the parks, but care about Kuala Lumpur as a whole.
“After all, it is the people who make KL,” he said.