By News Editor
KUALA LUMPUR: The daily routine of residents in some parts of the Klang Valley has been massively disrupted with many having to take leave to stock up on water with the prolonged unscheduled water cut.
A check on Jalan Setiawangsa here saw it congested with residents parking their vehicles along the two-lane road to fetch water from the public pipes that also served neighbouring Taman Keramat.
Residents have been flocking here since Thursday night armed with water containers since being caught off-guard by the water cut.
Mazlan Mat Hussain, 44, said he had to take leave from work to stock up on water for his family.
“My wife is unable to cook, do the laundry and wash the dishes,” said the 44-year-old clerk yesterday, adding that his three children had to skip school.
Mazlan, who lives on the fourth floor of an apartment in Taman Keramat, said he had to make frequent trips to the pipes to stock sufficient water.
Othman Jamaluddin, 53, who operates his own tour agency, said he had to shut the company for the day.
“I have to go out and buy food as my wife is unable to cook,” said the Setiawangsa resident.He was upset that water cuts had become a regular occurrence in the Klang Valley.
“I am supposed to be at the mosque today to perform the Friday prayers but instead I was lining up to get water. Because of the action of some irresponsible polluter, consumers have to bear the consequences,” he said.
Civil servant Azizul Hassan, 52, said many were considering a balik kampung trip to wait out the disruption.
“Hopefully, this situation does not prolong as it would inconvenience many, especially those with small children,” he said.
Like Othman, Azizul said he would also buy food outside.
“When I went to the wet market this morning, there were not many hawkers because there was no water,” he said.
Businesses were also badly affected.
Owner of Choy Kee restaurant in Damansara Jaya said he could only provide takeaways and serve a simple breakfast to customers because of the limited water reserves.
“Other stalls couldn’t open because of the water disruption,” said Wong Lai Khoon, 55.
Meng Kee pan mee stall owner Shirley Wong, 59, said despite having several tanks of stored water, it could only last her for two days.
“If the water does not resume, we will not be able to open the next day.
“We had stored filtered water for daily operations after frequent water disruptions happened two years ago but this disruption has hit us badly,” she told The Star from her stall in Taman Kok Lian, Kuala Lumpur.
A roadside hawker who only wanted to be known as Hasnah, 54, said she had to close shop earlier than usual.
“I was able to cook some food using the water from the day before. But if the cut persists, then I will not be able to do business tomorrow,” she said.
Another trader who only wanted to be known as Norshahizan, 60, said she had to cancel some orders.
“I will not be able to cook without water. I had to inform my customers and they were understanding,” she said.
She added that she would buy bottled water from the supermarket for use.
“I am concerned about gathering at the public pipes amid the pandemic,” said Norshahizan.–The Star
