I love street murals. Whenever time permits, I wouldn’t resist taking time off to go over to admire the many wonderful works of art that adorn walls of buildings. I am easily mesmerised with the creativity and effort put into these pieces.
It’s not just the art on the walls I look at. I make it a point to observe the surroundings where the murals are in terms of safety, cleanliness and tidiness.
Many townships have taken the pains to beautify their back lanes and side lanes with works of art. The local authorities engage local as well as foreign artists to beautify the area, which in turn attracts tourists from near and far.
I had the opportunity to go somewhere near and far recently. The nearest was Laman Seni 7 in Shah Alam and the furthest were the murals in Kuching, Sarawak. The murals in Shah Alam were a little bit futuristic while the murals in Kuching were more nostalgic in nature.
One common denominator for the two was how clean the back lanes and side lanes were. The back lanes at Laman Seni 7 were clean and orderly. The streets where the murals are in Kuching also looked clean and orderly. No funny odour could be detected while admiring the murals at the “lorong belakang” although many of the shops were occupied by food and beverage outlets.
Now, if we walk the back lanes of SS15 commercial area, that would be a different story. The drains are broken, the roads are uneven and potholed, the five-foot ways behind the shops are littered with rubbish and the area reeks of leachate from the roads and drains. If you are lucky, you might not spot the dozens of rats scampering around even in the day. The walls of the buildings along the back lane have seen better days.
Now tell me. What’s wrong with this “picture” I have just painted? Are our back lanes no better than the ones in Shah Alam or Kuching? Are Subang Jaya property owners and local authorities more concerned about what is portrayed at the front side of the shops? When was the last time senior management from the Subang Jaya City Council or the councillor visited the back lanes in SS15 commercial area? If they just visited it yesterday, I wouldn’t mind getting a hint of what they plan to do to clean up and beautify the area.
Nothing is impossible to achieve if we set our sights on it. But if it’s all talk and no action; then Subang Jaya is doomed to be left behind in the gutter. While other cities tap the tourism market with their murals, Subang Jaya will only attract rats and brick bats for their inaction.
The authorities and property owners are not the only stakeholders in taking ownership of Subang Jaya. We, as residents and consumers are also in it thick and thin. As residents, we must also take pride in the city we call home. Paying our taxes and assessment rates doesn’t absolve us from any responsibility. Don’t just be good at pointing fingers. Let’s walk the talk and play our part as well.
As promised by our Mayor, the city council has now come up with a list of Whatsapp numbers to the different departments, making it easier for ratepayers to make enquiries and also get in touch to resolve issues and complaints. Make full use of it and play your part.
In just a matter of weeks, we will be celebrating Malaysia Day on Sept 16. Just as how we are proud to be Malaysians, we should be proud of Subang Jaya. Let’s make it happen.
