Abandoned vehicles are sometimes left for a long time at parking lots. - Filepic.
ABANDONED vehicles in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, will be legally disposed of in an effort to expedite the process of removing derelict vehicles from public areas.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) president Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the local council was implementing a pilot project to manage cases of abandoned vehicles, through a court process that would cut down the length of time needed to dispose of such vehicles.
“We are one of the local councils chosen by Local Government Development Ministry to implement this disposal process using the Guidelines for the Management of Abandoned Vehicles in areas managed by MPAJ.
“It will usually take more than a year to finalise the process to dispose of abandoned (which have not been claimed by owners) and condemned vehicles.
“The new process will see a shortened time of seven or eight months for each case,” he said during the council’s full board meeting at Menara MPAJ yesterday.
He said procedural improvements such as vehicle checks with the police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), as well as vehicle deregistration were included in the new system.
“The process of seizure and disposal of abandoned vehicles involves prosecution at the Ampang Magistrate’s Court and also through the application of a forfeiture order issued by the court,” said Mohd Fauzi.
“To date, 165 cases have been registered with the Ampang Magistrate’s Court with 81 vehicle revocation orders issued to be deregistered by JPJ,” he disclosed.
He urged vehicle owners not to leave their old or damaged vehicles by the roadside for a long period of time as they could be considered an obstruction.
Notices under Section 46 of Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 would be sent to the owner to remove their vehicle.
Mohd Fauzi stressed that the act of leaving an abandoned vehicle in a public space was an offence and those found guilty could be fined up to a maximum of RM500.
On another matter, the MPAJ president said enforcement action would be carried out on hawkers and restaurant operators who failed to comply with Selangor government’s ruling for food handlers to wear face mask beginning July.
“MPAJ’s Licensing and Entrepreneur Development Department has sent out notices to operators informing them of the directive and giving them a grace period of six months,” he said.
Selangor government announced that all food and beverage workers were required to wear a face mask starting Jan 1 this year.
However, local councils are empowered to decide on the start date of its implementation.
Mohd Fauzi also reminded food and beverage business owners to ensure the cleanliness of toilets in their premises.
He said eateries operators were required to have a Grade A in cleanliness or risk their licence renewal application rejected. This is following a directive from Local Government Development Ministry.
“The new rules, which will come into effect next year, will include restaurants, hotels and hawker centres,” added Mohd Fauzi.
Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming had previously said the “A” rating requirement would be expanded to municipal councils in 2025 and district councils in 2026.
