MBSJ has started cracking down on the filthy, clogged and chaotic back lanes at USJ9 Business Centre issuing notices and kicking off a cleanup after complaints piled up, with councillor Christopher Joseph saying action is now underway. For businesses and shop lot owners who’ve treated public back lanes like a free-for-all, the message is clear: the “do whatever you like” era is ending.
“No more excuses” at USJ9
MBSJ (through its Zone 3 councillor) said complaints about the USJ9 wholesale/business area triggered enforcement action, with notices issued and cleanup works beginning. The point of the operation is straightforward: back lanes are not private workspaces, dumping grounds, or wash areas and MBSJ is stepping in to restore basic hygiene and order.
What we saw in the back lanes
A walk through the USJ9 back lanes shows why residents and business neighbours have been fed up: drains choked with thick sludge, rubbish scattered around, and workers using the lanes to wash produce and clean pots—turning service corridors into unsanitary “wet zones.” When this happens daily, it doesn’t just look bad; it creates smell, attracts pests, and raises health concerns for everyone who works and walks nearby.
Enforcement is now in play
This isn’t a “gentle reminder” situation anymore. MBSJ has issued notices and begun cleanup action, signaling consequences for premises that keep repeating the same behaviour. The enforcement tone also matches MBSJ’s wider posture in recent years, where the council has publicly framed operations as firm action against irresponsible or illegal conduct.
Next stop: USJ10 Taipan
With USJ9 now on the radar, attention is already shifting to another familiar hotspot: USJ10 Taipan where back-lane cleanliness and business compliance have long been a community talking point. If USJ9 is the opening shot, Taipan could be the next place where “business as usual” gets a hard reset.
