LETTERS: On Saturday, on Jalan Yam Tuan in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, I came across a dirty, clogged drain behind a restaurant.
This, including poor maintenance and shoddy-quality construction, is not acceptable because they create an ugly image of the city.
There have been reported cases of injuries and even fatalities due to falling old trees during a downpour or poor road maintenance on Jalan Rasah and in housing estates.
The rakyat and state government should address these challenges.
In February, I highlighted dangerous neglect on Jalan Rasah near another restaurant — open drains, with covers missing from previous traffic accidents; a large infestation of rats behind the open market (Pasar Besar), which carries a plague danger: dangerous sinkholes on Jalan Rasah and a severely damaged overhead bridge roof.
Cleaning up beaches, streets and commercial areas, such as in the Port Dickson-Seremban area, would make them safer and more appealing. But efforts to address these are bogged down by slow developments and inaction.
Furthermore, streamlined, efficient rail and bus transportation is high on the list of needs, not only for tourists, but for the working rakyat.
A case in point is the horrendously poor bus service from Rasah to Seremban, with some waiting up to an hour. This is especially hard for the B40 and M40 groups.
The commuter service from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur (to and fro) is terrible — with the long-term excuse given that it is "under repair", with no completion date in sight.
People are already stressed out about ballooning costs of living. Poor public transportation adds to the increasing burden of life.
In the same month, while visiting Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital, I was disturbed to observe the severely overcrowded waiting rooms, lengthy waiting times, three doctors sharing crowded examination rooms, inadequate parking facilities and often out-of-order lifts.
By the time current upgrades are completed, our growing needs will have rendered them inadequate. There is a crying need for a new state-of-the-art hospital to serve the Seremban residents, with Sendayan being an ideal location.
I have also written earlier this year with a proposal to turn Seremban into a tourism business hub.
I pointed out that with the new Seremban Sentral Railway Station, slated for completion in two years, it is time to remove abandoned buildings and structures that mar our scenic landscape, and give needed attention to others.
The King George V School is badly in need of exterior upgrades, fresh paint and landscaping to enhance its image and reputation as a long-standing premier academic institution.
These enhancements reflect the pride and dignity of our community and can woo tourists and businesses alike.
Seremban needs a masterplan to project itself as an organised, well-planned city with greenery, parks for recreation and for healthy activities for all.
C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
