Getting rid of eyesore on roads

Abandoned cars taking up valuable space at the Kampung Melayu flats in Ayer Itam, Penang.

ABANDONED vehicles, some left to rot for more than 10 years, are taking up valuable space along roads and housing schemes in Penang.

In a random check, reporters and photographers from The Star spotted more than 50 dilapidated cars and motorcycles within just an hour.

Many of the vehicles are in deplorable condition with punctured or missing tyres, shattered windscreens or windows and broken doors.

A cluster of abandoned cars at the junction of Lorong Damar 1 and Jalan Damar in Permatang Damar Laut.

Most of the cars do not have number plates or road tax discs. Some have road tax discs which expired a few years ago.

Some owners have even put up notices that the junk is for sale. There were also notices of people offering to buy the vehicles.

A motorcycle found collecting rust at Lorong Chulia.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif said although the council has received numerous reports on abandoned cars, several steps need to be taken before the cars can be towed away.

“Before we take enforcement action, we need to check with the Road Transport Department and the police on the car’s status, whether it was stolen or involved in any crime. We have to track down the owner.

An abandoned car rusting away at the roadside near Masjid Jamek Simpang Enam in George Town.

“Once we have all the details, then only we can remove the car to our storage depots in Tanjong Tokong and Relau, which are both in almost full capacity now.”

MBPP councillor D.R. Kala said the council has received reports and identified 53 cars abandoned in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.

She said some of the cars would be removed by end of this month after the council clears the existing junk from its storage depots.

Abandoned vehicles are a hindrance at Kampung Melayu flat in Ayer Itam,Penang. Pic by: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star/ 16 January 2018

“Right now our depots are full, and end of this month, we will clear them.

“We have issued 20 notices for the cars and will proceed to remove them if the owners fail to respond,” she said, adding that the council was giving priority to abandoned cars in the township.

Tanjung Court Condominium Residents Ad Hoc Committee member S. Devendran expressed regret the council was dragging its feet over abandoned vehicles in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.

“It is all talk and no action from the council. What assurance is there that the cars will be removed by end of this month or by next month? Will Kala tender her resignation if the cars are not removed by then?” he asked.

A row of abandoned cars along the pavement of Jalan Damar in Permatang Damar Laut.

Devendran said the condominium residents raised the matter during a dialogue session attended by Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal and Kala about four months ago.

“Photos of the abandoned cars were forwarded to her. She has said there is no space to store the junk.

What is the solution then? Prolong the matter for another few years?” he asked.

This car without wheels is occupying a parking lot at the Kompleks Farlim car park.

Devendran said the junk was taking up space along the road in Lengkok Angsana outside Tanjung Court. There are also other high-rise schemes along the road including Sri Kristal, Sri Impian and Sri Ivori.

He said a company has announced it would take over the parking lots at the multi-storey car park at Kompleks Farlim and people have to pay to park there from Jan 15.

“If residents cannot park there for free anymore, where will they park then?” he asked.

A badly stained car seen at the roadside near Semarak Api FarIim Pocket Park in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.

Joint Residents Associations of Bandar Baru Ayer Itam Ad Hoc group secretary V. Nathan said there was an acute shortage of parking space at the 20 housing schemes there.

“The issue of abandoned cars and motorcycles in the parking lots has been reported several times by The Star but continues to fall on deaf ears.

A note on the windscreen asking the car owner to contact an individual if he wishes to sell this car dumped near the food court at Tingkat Kenari in Sungai Ara.

“The council and the company managing the property in the township do not seem to be bothered,” he said.