MBPJ mulls plan to collect and sell abandoned vehicles

(From left) Sharipah, MBPJ Public Cleansing and Solid Waste Management director Lee Lih Shyan and councillor Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik at PJ Eco Recycling Plaza. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is considering collecting unwanted vehicles so that they can be properly disposed of. Deputy mayor Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said this was one of the ways the council intended to solve the abandoned car issue plaguing many neighbourhoods.

“We have this kereta buruk (abandoned car) issue in Klang Valley, and Petaling Jaya is not spared.

“MBPJ is looking into reselling these unwanted cars.

“However, we want to do it according to the law and with the involvement of vehicle owners.

“We have started discussions with the Land and Public Transport Agency and Road Transport Department to implement this plan.

“We have many instances whereby residents do not know what to do with their old vehicles and so they abandon them in their neighbourhoods.

“It is time we look at ways for these vehicles to be recycled so that they do not turn into junk and become an eyesore.

“Worse still when they end up as a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” said Sharipah at the launch of World Environment Day at the PJ Eco Recycling Plaza.

At the event, the second and third floor of the plaza were repurposed into spaces for recycling and upcycling-related activities.

Several competitions were organised before the launch, which were aimed at encouraging a more sustainable and environmental friendly lifestyle such as the highest amount of used cooking oil collected, upcycling second-hand items and home composting.

The winner of the highest amount of used cooking oil collected, Saffene Siron, walked away with a year’s supply of Grade A quality eggs.

He said it was a community effort by the residents association in his apartment.

“Whenever there are events among residents, we will collect the used oil instead of just disposing of it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Izrul Fadly Mustapa successfully guessed the number of recycled drink boxes used to create a miniature MBPJ Tower.

He won a six-month supply of drinks from F&N.

PJ Eco Recycling Plaza located at Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm.