Double-parking may lead to quarrels between neighbours. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
THE move by Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) to issue compounds to vehicles obstructing public roads has been well received by residents committees.
On Oct 4, MBPG issued a notice reminding road users that action could be taken against those who obstructed public roads and entry to homes. It has proposed to begin enforcement next year.
Jamil’s residents committee conducts surveillance to stop heavy vehicles parking in the area.According to Rumah Pangsa Taman Mawar Residents Committee chairman Jamil Bahari, 56, large vehicles were often parked in their housing area.
He said the flats had ample parking space for residents, to the extent that those working in the nearby industrial area had taken to parking there.
“Even some express buses from Pasir Gudang Bus Terminal are parked here, and there is a night market organised every Friday in this space.
“However, our main concern are the trailers parked at the flats as they take up more space,” he told StarMetro.Jamil said there were three schools in the housing areas and the heavy vehicles were a hazard for students travelling to and from school.
“Every night, the committee conducts surveillance around the neighbourhood and if we spot heavy vehicles, we advise their drivers to relocate them.
“Sometimes they comply, but often they refuse and I think this is where action by city council is needed because we cannot call the police for issues like this.”
Ahmad Johari says his committee issues obstruction alerts to vehicle owners in a chat group.Taman Bukit Dahlia Sekuntum Residents Committee chairman Ahmad Johari A. Samad, 60, said his community also faced these vehicular obstruction issues.
He said Sekuntum, established in 1994, was one of the oldest housing areas in Pasir Gudang.
“House designs back then only provided space for one vehicle.
“If you come to Sekuntum at night, you won’t be able to park your vehicles.
“Once, someone parked in front of my house without leaving his contact information on the dashboard.
“When confronted, he gave the excuse that it was the only parking space he could find and he was very tired after returning from work late at night.”
Ahmad Johari said his committee had identified every vehicle owner and had their numbers in a WhatsApp group for alerts in the event of an obstruction.
“There have been instances when waste collection lorries were unable to get through because the road was blocked by vehicles.
“But then residents complained that the waste collectors did not turn up.
“So what MBPG is doing (enforcement against illegal parking) is right,” he added.
Fairul calls on city councils to conduct study on sustainable living conditions.Bandar Layangkasa Residents Committee chairman Mohd Fairul Ayob, 47, said the city council should conduct a study on sustainable living conditions.
“We have recently worked together with MBPG on introducing the Social Security Scheme, which enhances the security of housing areas using closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and curfew systems.
“I believe the same can be done to resolve these parking problems as the council is bound to face this issue with the increasing population.
“There is modern housing and old housing in the city, each will require a different approach.”
Fairul said the city council might have to provide designated parking zones in housing areas.
Some newer apartments provide parking spaces for each unit and the council could look into making this a requirement for new housing projects, he said.
“The council should also consider that the majority of people in Pasir Gudang are B40 families, like those living in Kota Masai and Pasir Putih,” he added.
Chua says public transportation and micro-mobility needs to be improved in Pasir Gudang.Kampung Baru Masai village chief Chua Ching Hao, 32, said it was high time the local council took a leap forward by improving micro-mobility and mass transportation in Pasir Gudang.
“We have more than 500,000 people living in the city now and this figure will continue to grow, so I think it is the perfect time for MBPG to look into improving our transportation system.
“Most of the land in Pasir Gudang is in industrial and housing areas, so we need public transportation that can serve both.
“We can start by improving bus frequency in housing areas so that people will be less dependent on their own vehicles,” he said.
Illegally parked lorries in some housing areas in Pasir Gudang. — Filepic
He also suggested having electric buses that offered free rides to locals.
For the long term, Chua said Pasir Gudang urgently needed Light Rail Transit (LRT) that could transport people from the highly populated area to Johor Baru.
Sometimes, cars parked on roadsides obstruct waste collection lorries on their rounds.
“Instead of looking into providing more parking spaces, we should opt for more sustainable options because vehicles and populations will continue to increase but the land area will remain the same,” he pointed out.
He said the government could also introduce dedicated lanes for large vehicles, to reduce congestion on the road.
