SUNGAI PETANI: If you are looking for a good photoshoot spot, a sea of 'kemeling' or water hyacinth flowers at a pond here offers a breath-taking background.
However, what the photos won't capture but has to be endured by those posing and their cameramen, is the foul stench emanating from the oxidation pond.
Interestingly enough, the odour has not deterred people from making a beeline to the pond located along Jalan Bakar Sampah, Paya Nahu.
Kemeling is also popularly known in Malaysia as 'keladi bunting'.
The flowers, now in full bloom cover almost the entire pond located next to a busy intersection, here.
Swarms of birds flying in between the water plants and dead trees dotting the pond, make the view even more attractive.
It is learnt that the plants started growing in the pond several years ago but they did not cover the entire surface, as the local council had carried out scheduled maintenance works.
However, this time around, the plants covered the whole pond, creating a green mat-like flower surface.
A local resident, Opat Rattanachot said he decided to visit the pond after learning about it on social media.
"It is quite a fascinating view, despite having to hold your breath while posing for pictures," he said jokingly.
Another local resident who wished to be identified only as Siti said she decided to stop by after work, with her colleagues.
"I read a lot of comments on the foul stench but I must say the view is totally worth it," she said.
Since the crowd is growing, Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPk) erected a temporary security tape to prevent the public from entering a concrete bridge heading towards the pond's gate valve.
Checks however, showed that the move did little to deter people who still posed on the bridge, which offered the best background.
A local photography hobbyist, Kar Yin Heng hoped the MPSPk would leave the flowers be a little longer.
"The flowers normally remain in full bloom for about two months before they are gone.
"It would be great if the local council left the plants for a while to allow the public to enjoy this wonderful view," said Kar, who flew his drone to capture an aerial view of the pond.
Kemeling or its scientific name Eichornia crassipes is a freshwater invasive weed found throughout the tropics and subtropics.
It can prove to be a problem for some ecosystems if their growth is left unchecked and may affect water flow and block sunlight.
Meanwhile, state Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr. Mohd Hayati Othman said the kemeling was planted by MPSPk as a natural solution to address the foul stench issue at the oxidation pond.
"There were other solutions for the problem such as using chemicals but it was found to be quite costly.
"So, MPSPk and the Drainage and Irrigation Department decided to plant kemeling to neutralise the smell as its roots could absorb the foul stench.
"They didn't expect that it would result in such a breath-taking view once the flowers were in full bloom," he said when contacted.
Dr Hayati said he learnt that the pond had attracted many visitors for photoshoots including those looking for a location for wedding photoshoots, despite the pond emanating a stench at times.
He added that MPSPk had erected a security tape at the site to prevent the public from walking on the concrete bridge for safety reasons but they were allowed to have photoshoots at the side of the pond.