Youth Perspective
Formal Letter
Informal Letter
Example 1
Letter of Complaint
You are a resident of Taman Aman Jaya.
After a discussion with the other residents, you write a letter to
complain about the overflowing rubbish.
Address the letter to the president of the Municipal Council, Taiping.
Use the following notes to write your letter:
• rubbish not collected regularly — stench unbearable
• rubbish scattered all over—bins full — cannot be covered
• grass not cut — two months — long — children cannot play outside homes — snakes
Answer:
101, Taman Aman Jaya,
34000 Taiping,
Perak.
The President,
The Municipal Council,
Jalan Sultan Mahmud I,
30100 Ipoh.
20 April, 202X.
Dear Sir,
Complaint About Irregular Collection of Rubbish and Uncut Grass
On behalf of the residents of Taman Aman, I wish to lodge a complaint about the irregular
collection of rubbish and the uncut grass.
2. The rubbish collection service in my area is irregular. The garbage trucks do not come regularly
to Taman Arnan to collect rubbish. Sometimes the rubbish is left in the bins for one
to two weeks. The stench from the bins is very strong and unbearable to the residents.
3. The bins get so full that the lids cannot cover them. Stray cats and dogs knock these bins down
and scatter the rubbish and flies are seen all over the place. This makes the whole area very untidy
and dirty.
4. The grass has not been cut for more than two months. It is now long and unsightly. Children
cannot play outside their houses because there may be snakes hiding in the long grass.
We would like you to look into this matter and take immediate action. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
(NAME)
Example 2
You are the secretary of the Geographical Society of your school.
The Society plans to visit an oil palm estate in Port Dickson.
Write a letter to the manager of Super Oil Palm Estate, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, to enquire whether it is possible to visit the oil palm estate.
In your letter, mention the following:
1. educational trip
2. two reasons for visit
3. number of students and teachers
4. date and time of visit
5. whether taking photographs is permitted
6. include any other relevant details
Answer:
Sekolah Menengah Bandar,
Jalan Rasah,
70300 Seremban.
The Manager,
Super Oil Palm Estate,
71009 Port Dickson,
Negeri Sembilan.
20 June, 202X.
Dear Sir,
Educational Visit to Super Oil Palm Estate
On behalf of the Geographical Society of my school, I would like to enquire whether we may visit
the Super Oil Palm Estate.
2. We intend to go on an educational trip to Port Dickson and would like to include a visit to
an oil palm estate. We are keen to visit your estate for two reasons.
3. Firstly, we want to get first-hand knowledge of the work involved in running an oil palm estate,
such as the harvesting of the fruit. Secondly, we would like to see the processing of the fruit into oil.
It will help us to understand our Geography lessons better.
4. There are thirty students and two teachers in our group. We would like to visit your estate
on 10 August 202X at 10 a.m. If this is inconvenient, please suggest an alternative date and time.
5. We would also like to know if taking photographs is permitted. We intend to write about
our visit and print photographs together with the article in our school magazine.
6. We hope to receive a positive reply soon.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
NAME
(Secretary)
Example 3
Environmental Issues
A new factory, built near your village, is emitting toxic fumes and polluting your area,
affecting the health and livelihood of the villagers.
On behalf of the villagers, write a letter of
complaint to the local press, urging the authorities to look into the matter and take
appropriate action.
Composition Outline:
1. Opening: Kampung Permai - population and occupations
2. Reasons for letter - complain about factory
3. Body of letter: toxic fumes - health hazard, bad smell—water pollution
affects livelihood and environment
4. The indifferent attitude of the authorities
5. Closing: appeal to take action
Answer:
The Secretary,
Village Committee,
Kampung Permai,
08005 Bandar Inai,
Kedah Darul Aman.
The Editor,
Daily News,
32, jalan Tiong,
59100 KUALA LUMPUR.
20 September, 202X.
Dear Sir,
Pollution Caused by Factory
I am writing on behalf of the residents of Kampung Permai.
2. Our village has a population of about 900 people. Almost all of
us are farmers or fishermen who were born and bred here. Most of
us will probably remain here for the rest of our lives.
3. During the past year, our patience has been taxed to the limit.
This is because of the existence of a new factory, recycling used
rubber products, which was built not even one kilometre from our
village. Since the factory began operating in January last year, the
toxic fumes it emits have adversely affected the health of many
villagers. Cases of asthma have increased dramatically, and many of
us suffer from headaches, dizziness and nausea. We also have to
bear with the unpleasant smell coming from the factory. To make
matters worse, the factory has been dumping toxic waste into a
nearby river. As a result, the river, which was at one time teeming
with fish, is now a dead river. This has affected the fishermen's
livelihood. We also fear that harmful chemicals may have seeped
into the ground and are polluting our drinking water.
4. If this factory is allowed to pollute its surroundings unchecked,
the whole area will be unfit for cultivation and we would have to
move away, losing the land that has been in our families for
generations and perhaps having to find some other kind of work.
5. We have repeatedly voiced our concerns to the authorities, but
our appeals have only been met with empty promises. We have had
to put up with this for more than a year. It is inhumane for anyone
to expect us to sit and wait patiently while our health and livelihood
are at stake.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
(MAMAT BIN DOLLAR)
Word bank:
Taxed to the limit - almost unbearably strained
Inhumane - cruel
Cultivation - farming
At stake - in danger
Empty promises - unfulfilled promises
Example 4
Environmental Issues
A new factory, built near your village, is emitting toxic fumes and polluting your area,
affecting the health and livelihood of the villagers.
On behalf of the villagers, write a letter of
complaint to the local press, urging the authorities to look into the matter and take
appropriate action.
Composition Outline:
1. Opening: Kampung Permai - population and occupations
2. Reasons for letter - complain about factory
3. Body of letter: toxic fumes - health hazard, bad smell—water pollution
affects livelihood and environment
4. The indifferent attitude of the authorities
5. Closing: appeal to take action
Answer:
122, Jalan 12/3E,
Taman Cempaka,
52000 Kuala Lumpur.
The Editor,
Daily Herald,
B16, Jalan Duta,
52000 KUALA LUMPUR.
20 September, 202X.
Dear Sir,
Keeping Our Cities Clean and Beautiful
Growing up in the heart of the city, I have witnessed its
transformation from a bustling town to a busy metropolis.
2. However, of late, several billboards in the city have become more of an eyesore to tourists and a distraction to motorists. Not only are
they huge and unsightly, they block the view and pose a mortal
danger to road users. Recently, a huge billboard crashed onto the
road. A few vehicles were damaged. Most of the passengers emerged
thoroughly shaken but unscathed. It could have been much worse.
3. These billboards remain permanent structures even when the
messages have become outdated and the print has faded. Earlier
complaints to the authorities have come to naught. Do we have to
wait until lives are lost before we see the danger of such inaction?
Of what use are these unsightly billboards and glaring neon signs that
only tempt consumers to splurge on things they do not need or
want?
4. We should remove these billboards and develop our city into a
garden city filled with trees and greenery. Recently, I took my
nephews on a sightseeing tour of the city. I was amazed to see food
wrappers, empty containers, paper, and plastic bags piling up in
many parts of the city. Why can't the authorities take action against
these litterbugs?
5. The city's problems persist because of the authorities' lackadaisical
attitude and the lack of strict rule enforcement. From the gigantic
billboards to the people's littering culture, there is a need to address
these issues promptly. Only when we do this will our cities be clean
and beautiful and project a positive image in the minds of tourists.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Signature
(NAME)
Word bank:
Mortal - deadly
Litterbugs - people who throw rubbish
away indiscriminately
Unscathed - unharmed
Lackadaisical - not showing enough care or enthusiasm
Come to naught - come to nothing
Splurge - spend excessive amounts of
money
