Enforcers are not doing their part to ensure this irresponsible, but well paid act is stopped, forever!

Boleh blah, malaysian enforcing agencies! You are stooges to the ruling government! That's what you are!

Irresponsible act, but well paid to do it

******************************************************

The Star Online > Central

Wednesday October 5, 2005

Irresponsible act, but well paid to do it

By STUART MICHAEL
Photos by SAM THAM and DARRAN TAN

MANHOLE covers fetch big bucks! Those who steal manhole covers and sell them as scrap metal are paid about RM1 a kilo. They get paid RM3.20 per kilo of aluminium, RM3 for copper and 20sen for zinc.

It is no wonder than that manhole covers disappear as soon as they have been fitted into place.

One of about 100 manhole covers that have gone missing from Prima Damansara.

Things are getting even better for the thieves. Steel scrap prices have risen about 50%, from US$200 (RM760) per ton in early 2003 to more than US$300 (RM1,140) now.

Those who steal the covers and scrap metal dealers who buy them do not care about the dangers their actions have caused to the public, especially motorcyclists.

A number of them have been injured. Some have even died.

But, nothing serious has been done to stop the thefts nor bring the culprits to book. The irresponsible individuals are getting away with murder.

Worse, the authorities turn a blind eye to the activities and take too long to rectify the situation.

In Section 16, Petaling Jaya, for instance, a manhole cover in the centre of the main road broke recently.

Fo days, motorists have been spared from danger as someone has stuck a tree branch into it. In Prima Damansara, about 100 manhole covers have gone missing from the sides of some shop lots.

No one in the area knew when the covers disappeared or who stole them.

A resident from Prima Damansara, who did not want to be named, said residents merely turned a blind eye to people removing manhole covers.

“They are scared that if they reported it, they would be threatened or abused,” he said. “Most of the thieves look like drug addicts or thugs.”

Another resident, Lai Kwai Peng, from Bandar Sri Permaisuri, said there was an uncovered manhole on a road near SMK Bandar Sri Permaisuri.

Someone has placed a tree branch to warn motorists of danger ahead.

“There are school children who cross the road frequently and it would be fatal if a driver were to lose control of his vehicle at the manhole and crash into the children,” said Lai.

Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Yong Dai Ying said missing manholes covers was a major problem , not just in Petaling Jaya, but all over Klang Valley.

“The authorities, including the councils, the Police and enforcement officers must work together and do regular checks on scrap metal shops to find and charge the culprits behind the irresponsible acts.

“Only thorough such checks can we catch the thieves,” said Yong at a recent meeting with residents in Prima Damansara.

---

© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)