31-07-2025
MBJB clears 32 tonnes of rubbish from ex-teacher's home
JOHOR BARU: A former teacher's 30-year obsession with collecting junk inside his double-storey house in Taman Sentosa has finally been brought to an end, after neighbours endured decades of stench, vermin, and snakes.
Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) workers and volunteers removed 32 tonnes of trash from the elderly man's home this week, in what has been described as one of the district's worst domestic hoarding cases on record.
The man, now in his 70s, had 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.
MBJB council member for the housing estate, Sally Ng, said the situation inside and outside the house was appalling. Termite mounds were found inside, and the place was infested with rats, cockroaches, and even snakes.
The clean-up, which began on Sunday (July 27), saw the deployment of 35 volunteers, including from MBJB, SWM Environment, and the police. Among the items cleared were rusted rice cookers, broken furniture, shattered crockery, and thousands of empty cans and bottles.
"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.
Despite numerous complaints over the years, full-scale clean-up efforts were stalled due to the man's refusal to cooperate. Only the garage area was previously cleared, and even that was refilled with rubbish within days, she said.
The man insisted his collection was worth RM8,000, particularly the metal items. However, volunteers managed to separate the recyclable goods and raised a mere RM1,000, which was handed over to him as a gesture of goodwill.
"He still claimed the rubbish was worth more, but everything was rotted, rusted, or ruined," Ng added.
The man is believed to be estranged from his family. His Taiwanese wife is said to have returned to her home country years ago, while his three sons, living in Singapore, have allegedly distanced themselves due to his behaviour.
Efforts are underway to get him psychological help, as he previously refused assistance from the Welfare Department.
"If left alone, this situation will only repeat itself," Ng said.
"We hope he'll finally agree to proper care and support."
