SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) is gearing up to launch a voluntary vehicle disposal programme aimed at reducing the city’s rising number of abandoned cars.
While the service will not be free, it promises a more affordable option than private towing, which can cost up to RM1,000.
The service is expected to be introduced this year and owners will be required to pay a small fee before the city council can tow the vehicle away.
The cost was yet to be determined, said Subang Jaya deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali.
“The suggestion for this initiative will be presented during MBSJ’s Finance Committee meeting.
“Owners can either send the vehicle to us or we can arrange for it to be picked up for a fee.
“If they handle it themselves, it could cost around RM1,000 for towing alone.
“But we offer this service at a lower cost,” he said, adding that MBSJ was hopeful that this would reduce the number of abandoned vehicles in the city.
He added that the city council had the necessary equipment, including three new tow trucks, to successfully offer the service.
Mohd Zulkurnain said a significant challenge was present in the disposal process.
“Under the Road Transport Department (JPJ) regulations, vehicles must go through a legal process of ‘lucut hak’ (ownership surrender) in the courts.
“Each case requires an investigation paper (IP), meaning one car equals one IP. It is a long process and we can’t handle multiple cases in one go.”
In Kajang, owners can contact Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to get rid of their vehicles.
However, they must first go through the deregistration process with JPJ before they can surrender their vehicles.
Surrendered and abandoned vehicles will be towed to an authorised automotive treatment facility so that batteries, engine oil, air-conditioner gases, coolant and other components like plastic and metal parts can be segregated for reuse, recycling or recovery. — By SHALINI RAVINDRAN
