LETTER | I write here in frustration to see how some (if not many) local authorities have chosen to treat complaints about broken drain covers - either with apathy or perhaps, with justified delay.

There are times, I'm sure, many of us will have seen such broken drain covers. Not only are they an eyesore, but they can prove to be a danger to unsuspecting pedestrians who may trip and fall.

I wish to now relate my experience in Penang where along Jalan Masjid Negeri (or iconic Green Lane as it is called) where there are no less than nine separate locations from the junction with Persiaran Besi until the junction with Jalan Besi, at the Caltex Petrol Station.

All innocuous looking (maybe that's why the local authority chose to "delay" fixing them), but yet a danger to a pedestrian who may, not only trip and fall but worse, fall into the path of an oncoming vehicle and end up in an untoward accident!

For the record, I sent in a very comprehensive pictorial complaint via WhatsApp to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on Sep 18, 2022, with the report number 19834/09/22.

A follow-up SMS (which I laud MBPP for) informed me that "kerja2 pembaikian dijangka awal bulan oktober 2022" (repair works are scheduled for early October 2022).

But as of Jan 10, this year, sadly, nothing has changed.

Now I'm sure I do not speak from just the viewpoint of one staying in Penang. Equally for those in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, we have also seen a fair share of neglected broken drain covers.

And we haven't even gone into potholes yet.

All I ask is a little bit of urgency from the local authorities all over our beloved Malaysia.

When such complaints are lodged; be it a broken drain cover, road pothole, leaking water pipe or even leaking sewage… please respond as well as you should.

It's for the safety and well-being of all citizens eventually.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.