THERE are currently 27 parking bays for OKU drivers in the Ipoh city centre, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
He said if there are requests for additional spaces, the Ipoh City Council would consider the applications.
"The city centre comprises old and new (developments).
“For every new development, a condition is to have disabled-friendly bays.
“As for the existing developments, we will add more such bays from time to time if there are requests,” he told reporters after the council's full board meeting on Tuesday (July 30).
ALSO READ: More parking spaces needed in Ipoh for the disabled
Rumaizi was responding to a reader of The Star who highlighted the insufficient number of parking spaces for the disabled in the city.
The reader had said that many public areas in Ipoh, including shopping complexes, medical facilities and recreational areas, lack sufficient parking spaces for people with disabilities, and urged the council to take immediate action.
Rumaizi added that applications for OKU parking in commercial areas are mostly submitted by clinics.
“These parking bays cannot be designated in the centre of (a row of bays), but must be at the ends because of the bigger space required for each bay.
“Then there is the need for a wheelchair ramp.
"However, such bays cannot be provided at all locations as we need to follow the guidelines,” he added.
Rumaizi said sometimes people misuse such bays, and the council's enforcement teams would issue compound notices if, for example, an able-bodied driver parks there.
“Only those vehicles that have OKU stickers issued by the Social Welfare Department are allowed to park there.
“Most government buildings have designated bays as well as ramps,” he added.
