THE irresponsible act of throwing garbage from the top of a flat in Jalan Kenanga, Kuala Lumpur, has resulted in a lady suffering a deep gash on her head requiring 24 stitches.
Yip Yoke Cheng, 48, was at Sri Sarawak flats located off Jalan Cheras when she was hit by a broomstick which was tossed out of a window by a resident living in Block C.
What made the pain more unbearable was despite lodging reports with the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), no action was taken.
Yip, who is from Loke Yew flats, was giving directions to a resident on Sept 25 at about at 11am and was hit by the broomstick thrown from above as she was walking past the Sri Sarawak flats.
“I was taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital by an ambulance, but I had to wait more than two hours to get treatment.
“The doctors told me the wound was already infected,” said Yip, adding that it took about three hours for doctors to clean the wound which required 24 stitches.
Yip later made a police report at the Pudu police station and the DBKL Zone 2 branch located by the flats.
“The DBKL officers said people always throw things from their units and there was nothing they could do about it because they did not know from which unit the broomstick had fallen from.
“I am highlighting this matter to raise public awareness to ensure such mishaps do not recur in the future,” said the single mother of three.
Loke Yew flats resident representative Leong Chee Yin, 64, said rubbish thrown from the windows of the flat units was a regular occurrence.
“Every day someone dumps rubbish such as diapers, food, and even sanitary pads from their windows at both the Loke Yew and Sri Sarawak flats.
“A resident was killed about 10 years ago because a knife had been carelessly thrown out of the window.
“The authorities say they cannot do anything because there is no video evidence; we have CCTVs in the area but they do not work.
“All Yip could do is to file a claim with DBKL for the cost of hospital fees, and maybe for loss of wages during the period she was unable to go for work,” he said, highlighting the need for working CCTVs.
According to Sri Sarawak flats Block C resident Lindawathi K. D. Jayasingha, 47, those living at her block have been known to throw dangerous objects.
“It happens throughout the day from morning to night where the residents at my block throw glass beer bottles and bottles of oil or other sharp things.
“Once a big knife was thrown out the window but luckily it hit a car and not a person,” she added.
She said she keeps in contact with the police department, reporting incidences as and when they happen.
“It is the safety of children that I fear most,” she added.
Cheras MCA deputy chief Teoh Chee Hooi, who brought the issue to light, said there needs to be proper monitoring in the area.
“It comes down to the awareness of the residents in both Loke Yew and Sri Sarawak flats.
“CCTV also needs to be installed to catch the culprits in action,” he said, while suggesting continuous campaigns to educate residents on proper methods of rubbish disposal.
DBKL could not be reached for comment.