Pinggiran and Sri Gombak

30/04/2026

Despite being a Kelantanese, I have lived in Sri Gombak since the early 90s (although have always been here since 80s during school holidays where many of my siblings living around the area)

Since 2001–2012, I stood firm in defending the old shady trees (and green lungs) in Taman Sri Gombak, many over 50 years old, some even older. The common justification for felling them was safety, broken branches posing risks to motorists and pedestrians. But my position has always been simple, if a branch is the issue, prune it, don’t destroy the entire tree.

While we focus heavily on measures like charging 20 sen for plastic bags, believing it helps protect the environment from long-term soil damage, we often overlook a far more immediate and visible impact, the felling of mature trees.

Unfortunately, many of these trees were replaced with smaller species that provide little shade, offering no real protection from the increasing heat. I was often ridiculed for speaking up, perhaps by those who did not fully realise that the environmental consequences we create today will be inherited by our children and grandchildren.

My concern has never been sentimental alone, it is grounded on fact. Mature trees stabilise soil, regulate urban temperatures, support biodiversity, and produce the oxygen we depend on. Removing them without thoughtful planning accelerates environmental degradation and contributes to the very heat we now struggle to endure.

Yes, I understand that felled trees may be repurposed, the timber used, the roots turned into decorative pieces. I have no issue with that. But the real loss is not in the wood, it is in the ecosystem that took decades to grow.

I’ve seen better practices in places like Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Kuala Lumpur, where mature trees are preserved, maintained properly, and even protected during infrastructure development. Some regions go further, imposing heavy penalties for unnecessary tree felling.

What I see now is rapid development in many areas in Sri Gombak and Prima Sri Gombak replacing the very shady trees and “green lungs” that once sustained our surroundings.

I haven't really stopped fighting only mellow down a bit as age catching up with me. I now find myself watching the remaining green lungs and old shady trees around Pinggiran Batu Caves and can’t help but wonder how long they will last. It feels like only a matter of time before someone proposes development, and these mature trees, standing for decades are marked for removal.

This is not just about trees or green lungs. It is about responsibility, foresight, and the legacy we leave behind.

09/03/2026

I have lived in Gombak for many decades, not far from Batu Caves, and over the years I have witnessed many celebrations of Thaipusam, where devotees and visitors come from all over the world. Throughout those decades, I even walk freely among them without any problems.

In my daily routine, whenever I go out for work or errands, I often meet friends and neighbours from all walks of life, people of different races, as well as foreign workers, expatriates, and tourists from Europe, the US, and many parts of Asia.

From my experience, we have no issues living side by side. There is mutual respect. People respect me for who I am, and I respect them in the same way. We often chat, sometimes even discussing current issues and how certain situations could have been handled better.

Of course, like any community, there are occasional problems. But they have never escalated to the point where we stop speaking to one another or start attacking each other on social media. That is the last thing any of us would want.

There have also been attempts by certain people to provoke tension by spreading rumours about Batu Caves. I remember many years ago receiving messages claiming that there would be a fight between Indians and Malays. In reality, nothing of the sort ever happened.

What I found amusing was that many of those spreading the rumours were not even from Gombak some were not even from Selangor. I simply replied, “I live in Sri Gombak, quite near Batu Caves. If a "tense" really happening, I would probably be the first to know.”

I also take part in community activities joining "gotong-royong", attending friends celebrations, asking how they are doing, and expressing condolences when someone in the neighbourhood passes away. These small gestures help keep the sense of community alive.

There is no conflict certainly no racial tension. We simply live together as neighbours, peacefully and respectfully.
I sincerely hope it will remain this way for many years to come.

24/01/2026

Hari ini menerima jemputan penduduk setempat. Sesi solat hajat, kenduri, doa selamat untuk mereka yang akan mengerjakan umrah dan haji. Gabungan jemaah Surau Al-Kahfi dan Surau Darul Hidayah serta penduduk sekitar Pinggiran Batu Caves and Sri Gombak termasuk peniaga Medan Selera MPS Pinggiran Batu Caves.

02/11/2025

Ramai pekedai runcit, pemilik kedai alat tulis, serta pengusaha restoran meluahkan rasa tidak puas hati apabila mendakwa mereka tidak diberikan notis yang mencukupi berhubung arahan menukar papan tanda larangan merokok kepada versi baharu yang dilengkapi kod QR.

Menurut mereka, ramai peniaga kecil tidak mengikuti makluman melalui media sosial, televisyen atau radio kerana kesibukan berniaga. Walaupun kini banyak urusan dilakukan secara tanpa kertas (paperless), pihak berkuasa seharusnya tetap mengeluarkan notis bertulis dan menghantarnya secara rasmi kepada para peniaga.

Mereka berpendapat tindakan penguatkuasaan yang dikenakan seolah-olah menyerang mereka dan menyaman mereka tanpa memberi ruang dan tempoh masa yang wajar untuk membuat penyesuaian.

17/08/2025

Pelekat Petugas Kesihatan Covid 19 masih tertera di cermin. Apalah kisahnya di sebalik kenderaan dan tuan kenderaan ini. Apapun, penghargaan tertinggi dan ucapan terima kasih diucapkan kepada beliau kerana tugas yang cemerlang sepanjang Pandemik dan MCO/CMCO. Semoga Allah SWT membalas jasabaik beliau - siapapun anda

03/06/2025

If you're booking a Grab ride, be cautious of strangers who approach you under the pretext to see your phone or location. Never hand your phone or display anything to them. There have been reported cases involving hypnosis or black magic, where individuals unknowingly handed over their phones and money only to realize what had happened much later. Stay alert and protect your belongings.

11/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/197DMKNtZe/

The Selangor fire and rescue department records flash floods in Petaling, Klang, Sepang, Hulu Langat, and Gombak.

24/11/2024

Ada satu masa dahulu, saya pernah membantah dengan lantang keputusan pihak berkuasa untuk menebang semua pokok rendang di kawasan kejiranan saya.

Alasan biasa mereka ialah pokok-pokok tersebut mungkin tumbang dan membahayakan, tetapi saya berhujah bahawa memangkas dahan yang bermasalah adalah penyelesaian yang lebih baik. Saya tahu ada yang mengaut keuntungan, sama ada dengan menjual kayu balak kepada kilang papan atau menanam semula spesies yang lebih lemah dan rendah kualiti.

Kemudian muncul caj 20 sen untuk beg plastik, dan saya mencabar mereka: apakah yang lebih merosakkan alam sekitar, beg plastik atau menebang pokok? Kini, semua orang mengeluh tentang cuaca panas dan betapa tidak tertahannya keadaan ini. Ironinya, manusia cepat lupa kerosakan yang telah mereka lakukan terhadap alam semula jadi.

04/10/2024

LANGKAH-LANGKAH PERLU DIAMBIL JIKA BERLAKU BANJIR DI KAWASAN ANDA.

1) Simpan Dokumen Penting dan Barang Berharga Ke Dalam Bekas Kalis Air
2) Simpan Air Bersih Untuk Kegunaan Mandi dan Minum
3) Kenalpasti Lokasi Pusat Pemindahan dan Pusat Bantuan Yang Terdekat
4) Sediakan Peralatan Kecemasan Yang Mencukupi
5) Sediakan Powerbank Untuk Kegunaan Kecemasan
6) Bersiap Sedia Untuk Berpindah (Patuh Arahan Pihak Berkuasa)
7) Dengar hebahan semasa yang disampaikan melalui radio,televisyen dan agensi-agensi kerajaan

Minta rakan-rakan di sekitar Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor agar berhati-hati dalam memandu kerana kemungkinan banjir kilat akan melanda di beberapa lokasi hospot banjir.

Semalam di beberapa tempat di kawasan Selayang, hampir 50 orang berjaya diselamatkan dan dipindahkan ke Pusat Pemindahan Banjir.

Aras/Benchmark saya amat mudah, jika Selayang atau mana-mana kawasan di Gombak yang berada di kawasan tanah tinggi dilanda banjir kilat, maka dijangkakan Kuala Lumpur dan beberapa lokasi di Selangor juga akan berlaku banjir yang agak teruk.

Rujuk laman rasmi info banjir di

https://publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my/

Didoakan semoga anda semua selamat walau di mana jua anda berada.

16/09/2024

28/08/2024