DBKL officers removing structures built by parking touts at Jalan Radin Bagus 8.
Two Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) carparks in Sri Petaling are being misused by illegal parking operators, stakeholders say.
Kuala Lumpur Advisory Board member Andre Lai said a meeting with the relevant DBKL department regarding the management of the sites would be held this month.
The meeting is to decide whether an operator should be hired to manage each site or if users should continue to pay parking fees via apps.
“The lots, located at Jalan Radin Bagus 8 and Jalan Radin Anum 4, are DBKL-owned parking areas.
“They were previously manned by illegal parking touts, who have since reappeared after a clampdown by DBKL.
“Motorists using these lots are required to pay the standard DBKL parking fee (of RM1 per hour).
“However, illegal operators have been collecting fees from motorists, charging RM5 per entry,” said Lai.
On April 19, DBKL carried out an enforcement operation against the illegal parking operators at both the locations in Sri Petaling.
Authorities dismantled boom gates and makeshift payment counters.
But the touts returned after a few days, collecting fees at the entrance to the parking lots.
Lai also brought up the issue of a local pasar malam (night market) using the lot.
“The carpark at Jalan Radin Bagus 8 has 374 bays. Every Tuesday, the Sri Petaling pasar malam occupies that space,” said Lai, adding that the night market operators faced problems with vehicles still taking up bays on night market days.
Sri Petaling Residents Association chairman Tan Tai Tong urged DBKL to take over management of the parking lots.
“Catching touts is a cat-and-mouse game,” he said.
“DBKL should manage these lots and ensure the one at Jalan Radin Bagus 8 is vacated on Tuesday afternoons to accommodate the night market,” said Tan.
Lai said, “Since DBKL has a functioning parking system, there is no need for third-party operators.
“City Hall should manage the site directly and close it off on Tuesdays to accommodate the night market.
“All street and open-air carparks fall under DBKL’s Finance Department.”
Kuala Lumpur Advisory Board member Carmen Leong said residents had reported that the parking touts typically arrived in the morning and collected fees until the lots filled up.
“By then, they would have collected a substantial amount.
“In response, DBKL is currently stationing enforcement officers at both sites in the morning to monitor the situation.
“Since then, conditions have improved and I am grateful to the vigilant residents who reported the matter,” she said.
