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Last Updated: 7:05am, May 21, 2014

PETALING JAYA (May 21): Do you dare walk here?

There is an underpass located in the city, connecting the National Mosque to Dayabumi Complex which used to be a favourite route for the public.

However, things changed since Audrey Melissa was abducted, raped and murdered there in 1999.

The underpass has since become less frequently used, while some avoid it altogether.

Based on our observations, there were no students using the tunnel to get to the Methodist Girls' School at Jalan Cenderasari.

From our two hours of observation, less than ten people were seen using the underpass.

Last Sunday marked fifteen years since Audrey's abduction. She was believed to have been abducted, raped and strangled while she was on her way to school - the Methodist Girls' School at Jalan Cenderasari in the city.

Fz.com revisited the site to see what improvements been made following the tragic incident.

However, it was disappointing to note that the condition of the underpass was totally unsatisfactory.

It was foul-smelling, while the fittings in the tunnel, including lighting and glass windows were found broken or damaged. CCTV installed after the case have also gone missing.

It is understood that drug addicts and drunkards used to sleep or hang out in the tunnel during the early hours till daybreak.

When approached, users expressed their dissatisfaction at the state of the underpass, saying that the authorities should have put in more effort to make the walkway safer.

"There is not enough lighting in the tunnel...... as you can see some of the lights are not working.

"When safety and security matter, it is necessary to provide adequate lights ... sadly the underpass is clearly poorly maintained," a user, who wished to be identified only as Noraini, said.

"However, we are forced to use the underpass as it is a shortcut between the National Mosque and Central Market," she said, adding that crossing over the busy street of Jalan Kinabalu was the other option.

"The alternative is not feasible. Cars are travelling at high speeds and it is difficult for us to cross," said Noraini.

Another young woman, who did not wish to be identified, said: "It would be good if the government can do something about the tunnel, such as repairing the damaged facilities and hire guards to look after it."

The users urged the authorities to carry out scheduled maintenance on the underpass and not leave it abandoned.

A security guard, Mohd Fauzi Mohd Ali, said he has never seen any students using the underpass to get to their schools over the past year.

Mohd Fauzi, who works at a private parking lot at the other end of the underpass said working adults used the tunnel the most.

He said he heard that Kuala Lumpur City Hall was planning to rebuild the tunnel in line with a new development project nearby.


For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation.


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