FEB 6 — I live in KL, and for the most part, it’s good.
Sure, some things irk me. As a designer, much of it tends to be visual. Sounds superficial I know, but visual perception of an environment affects perception of its efficiency, safety, focus and vision.
Where to begin with KL?!? Lousy roads (and their disorganised repair), not-so-smart tunnel, pointless concrete Bunga Raya “sculptures”, grandiose public projects, that new palace. We hear of KL aspiring to be among the top 10 most liveable cities in the world. I’d like to believe it.
Still, it’s nice to be home after years of having lived abroad. I like the laidback pace of life, the quirkiness of the city and the relaxed attitude of its people.
Recently though, some things have made me think quite differently, enough to make me decide to register to vote. Which is a story in itself.
The banning of Seksualiti Merdeka, which speaks volumes about the emptiness of the 1 Malaysia initiative, and the much-touted Global Movement of Moderates, is one. I thought it was about tolerance, equality and a just peace. Such hypocrisy, such double standards.
But a far more prosaic issue has forced its way into my life and left me hating how this city works. Or more accurately, doesn’t work.
In late July 2011, a nightclub opened near where I live on Jalan Tun Razak.
Since then, my fellow residents and I have been bombarded with screeching live band vocals and the thumping bass of dance music. A deep guttural thrum becomes audible around 11pm nightly, then the rhythmic bass beat kicks in at midnight until the early hours of what were once very restful evenings. The schedule is so punctual I anticipate the approach of midnight with dread and anxiety. Bad enough during the week, it ramps up on the weekends.
An almost nightly SMS exchange with management of the i-CLUB — located on the penthouse of The Icon office building — and even a couple of face-to-face meetings have resulted in some improvement but no lasting change. Mostly, our text messages are ignored. In one illuminating meeting, the club manager had the gall to admit that part of the soundproofing was too expensive so they omitted it!
Here’s an ominous SMS exchange. GM is the club’s general manager:
18 Nov Fri 01:16
Me: Bloody hell i-CLUB, I can even hear yr bass in my living room!
Neighbour: I can also hear it in my bathroom that faces the opposite direction!!! Insane & negligent
18 Nov Fri 01:24
GM: (to me) Bloody hell!!! U sure of that!!! U wan to turn on the bass
GM: (to neighbour) Insane & negligent? Are you sure about that!!! You want me to turn on the bass
I called DBKL’s hotline and was impressed when told I would receive a complaint report number shortly. I never heard back. By the way, DBKL’s 24-hour hotline? It wasn’t.
I made two police reports, which I had to type, and asked if I could email supporting photos to attach to the report. “Cannot email.” OK, then maybe I transfer it to you via thumb drive? “No.” I was told an inspecting officer would contact me. No officer has.
I wrote (and continue to write) to The Icon’s developer Mah Sing Group. Sporadic responses, and not much evidence of firm action.
I wrote to the listed directors of i-CLUB. No response.
What’s left me angry and feeling hopeless is the authorities’ and the civil service’s seeming torpor. If my taxes go to pay their salaries, they should at least respond to me to some degree no? Perhaps I am wrong, or naive. Perhaps both.
But wait! Just when all seemed lost, a glimmer of hope! Last week (January 31), DBKL summoned all parties to a meeting. A promising start, with a roomful of people who seemed genuinely concerned. DBKL have asked that we give them two weeks to deal with the situation. After six months, what’s another two weeks, if it means restoration of my somewhat battered faith in this city.
* Christopher Yong is a resident of KL who blogs about his travails with the nightclub at angryrabbitgut.blogspot.com. You can reach him at rabbitgut@gmail.com.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
