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COMMENT | The inhabitants of one English town came up with an unusual idea, having been frustrated by the failure of their local council to repair potholes in the roads. They filled up the road cracks and craters with brightly coloured flowering plants to highlight the dangers. The media spotlight prompted an immediate repair.

This method may not work in Malaysia. Within minutes of the plants being placed in the potholes, some enterprising Malaysian would dig them up to replant in his garden.

Anyone who drives a car along a road littered with potholes, knows how much damage it can do to the suspension. In some Western countries, councils pay for damage to cars. Will ours?

Motorbike riders and bicyclists fare worse. Some people have been seriously hurt, and even killed driving into these potholes.

Five years ago, one Malaysian turned into a citizen journalist (CJ) and started to document the problems which were not being satisfactorily addressed in his neighbourhood of Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara. His first video was uploaded on June 13, 2012. His local council is the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ).

He said, "Documenting the issues has several advantages. It is proof that the issues are not being fabricated. It also date stamps when the issue occurred.

"It shows exactly where the issue is, because providing the street address may not be enough. I can also add a map, from Google Maps, to mark the exact spot.

"Making videos also allow a 'before and after' comparison, and how long it has taken for MBPJ to resolve the issues."

According to this CJ, the council would make half-hearted attempts at resolving the problems, because within a few days, these problems would be back to square one.

He also makes "thank you" videos to show his gratitude to MBPJ for resolving an issue to his satisfaction.

CJ highlights problems, by first calling the MBPJ hotline, and messaging them on Facebook. This is followed by messages to the MBPJ councillor in charge of his area, Tang Fuie Koh. He also contacts his assemblyperson (Adun), Elizabeth Wong, and his MP, Sivarasa Rasiah.

When asked why he was only interested in issues involving his neighbourhood, he said, "I only comment on neighbourhoods where I own property, as I have vested interest as a landlord.

"If an area is neglected and becomes an eyesore, nobody will want to rent in the area and the rent will fall. Criminals, drug addicts and other undesirables will move in and ruin the neighbourhood even further."

CJ uploads his video clips to YouTube and various pages on Facebook. He deletes the videos, once the properties are sold, and he no longer owned them.

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