Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed strong dissatisfaction over deteriorating cleanliness across the state, revealing that he has been inundated with complaints from residents who are increasingly frustrated with uncollected rubbish, clogged drains and poorly maintained public spaces.
In an exclusive interview with Bernama, the Sultan said the surge in complaints now comes with full names, contact details and photographs – a sign of how desperate the public has become to be heard.
“In the past, many wrote anonymously. Now they attach photos, full details, and even blog about it just to get my attention,” he said. “I am fed up, really. It’s time the councils clean up their act.”
Calling Selangor “Malaysia’s most developed and most populous state,” the Ruler said its current state of cleanliness is far from the image it should project.
Overflowing bins, clogged drains, smelly streets
Sultan Sharafuddin said the complaints he receives paint a troubling picture of the state’s towns and neighbourhoods.
“Overflowing rubbish bins, clogged drains, unkempt back lanes, and litter-strewn roads have become familiar sights. People say some streets even smell,” he said.
Residents from Klang, Petaling Jaya, Ampang and Subang have all voiced similar frustrations, pointing to what the Sultan described as “a much larger systemic problem”.
For a state with strong revenue and modern infrastructure, he said such issues should not be happening at all.
Councils must be accountable
The Sultan placed responsibility on local councils, citing irregular rubbish collection, poor maintenance of street bins and weak enforcement as key failures.
“There must be clear accountability. Councils need measurable cleanliness standards,” he stressed.
He also urged the state government to review waste management contracts, adding that contractors who fail to perform should be terminated.
“Clean streets reflect civic pride and government competence,” he said.
Clogged drains contributing to floods
Touching on another long-standing issue, the Sultan said poorly maintained drains were contributing to Selangor’s recurring floods, which he called “an unnecessary burden” on residents.
Call for more professional representation in councils
Sultan Sharafuddin also highlighted the need for more diverse representation in local councils.
He said councils should not be made up entirely of politicians, calling instead for the inclusion of professionals or retired individuals with relevant expertise.
“These professionals can provide valuable input to develop municipalities. It should not be 100 per cent politicians,” he said.
— BERNAMA
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