Residents in Taman Sentosa, Johor, can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the authorities moved to clear a retired teacher’s home of 32 tonnes of rubbish that had been accumulating for 30 years.
Photos of the trash that literally flooded the man’s home and the clean-up process was shared by Johor Bahru city councillor Chan San San on Facebook, leaving netizens shocked by the extent of the man’s hoarding.
32 tonnes of trash removed from Johor man’s home
Speaking to NST, Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) council member for the housing estate, Sally Ng, said the clean-up effort was carried out last Sunday (July 27) with the help of 35 volunteers, which included personnel from MBJB, SWM Environment, and the police.
She described the situation as “one of the district’s worst domestic hoarding cases on record”, adding that termite mounds were found inside the house, not to mention the infestation of rats, cockroaches, and snakes.
Among the items found amidst the mountain of trash included rusted rice cookers, broken furniture, shattered crockery, and thousands of empty cans and bottles.
“The man turned his home into a festering dumpsite under the guise of a hobby, much to the dismay of his neighbours, who complained of foul odours and a plague of pests spilling into their homes.
Neighbours told us he hasn’t lived inside the house for years. He sleeps in the back alley because the trash had overtaken every inch of space, including the garage, which completely buried his car.”
Ng said while multiple complaints were made, full-scale clean-ups couldn’t proceed as the man refused to cooperate with authorities.
Even when his house does get clean, it will quickly be filled with rubbish once again.
Family ties strained by hoarding
Ng said the man claimed the rubbish he hoarded was worth RM8,000, especially the metal items. However, only RM1,000 was raised from the recyclable goods, which was later given to him as a gesture of goodwill.
It was later revealed that the man’s Taiwanese wife had returned to her home country while his three sons, who are currently living in Singapore, have kept an arm’s length from him due to his hoarding.
Ng added there are ongoing efforts to get the man psychological help despite his previous refusal for assistance from the Welfare Department.
“If left alone, this situation will only repeat itself. We hope he’ll finally agree to proper care and support.”
READ ALSO:
