Abandoned cars stacked on top of one another at DBKL’s Pantai Sentral depot in Pantai Dalam, which is already at full capacity despite being opened in May last year. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG and FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR City Hall (DBKL) is mulling a tie-up with licensed scrap metal dealers to deal with the growing number of abandoned vehicles.
If approved, the move could ease overflowing depots and free up precious parking bays.
DBKL’s three depots for disposing of abandoned vehicles, including the newly built Pantai Sentral depot in Pantai Dalam, are so full that cars are being stacked on top of one another.
Despite spending millions each year to tow derelict cars from streets, neighbourhoods and public housing projects (PPR), it is understood that DBKL recoups only about RM300,000 through annual auctions.
The legal process to scrap one car can take six months or more, leaving vehicles in “legal limbo” while they hog parking bays, block fire hydrants, attract rubbish and frustrate residents.
Lan: DBKL is looking to let scrap metal dealers handle disposal of abandoned cars.Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s aide Alice Lan told StarMetro that DBKL was exploring the idea of outsourcing the towing and legal disposal process.
“DBKL is looking at contracting out the disposal of abandoned vehicles to scrap metal dealers who will tow them and handle the legal process. Discussions are ongoing.
“Until a solution is found, more abandoned vehicles will be taking up public space.”
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said the proposal made sense but cautioned that it must be done properly.
“Outsourcing the disposal of abandoned cars is a good idea as it will free up DBKL’s enforcement officers to focus on other pressing issues.
“But it must be structured in a way that benefits the city,” he said.
“DBKL should look to countries like Singapore and Japan, which have clear systems and best practices for vehicle disposal, including setting limits on the age of cars allowed on the road.”
Like the other two, DBKL’s Taman Connaught depot for abandoned vehicles is at full capacity.
A DBKL spokesperson confirmed that the local authority was discussing the proposal to engage scrap metal dealers.
“It is still at the drawing-board stage,” the spokesperson added.
Filled to capacity
Atar Bacha: Abandoned vehicles at PPR Kampung Muhibbah are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.DBKL currently operates three depots: Taman Connaught depot in Cheras (capacity 1,600 vehicles), Salak Selatan depot (1,300) and Pantai Sentral depot (800).
All three are at full capacity, with cars now stacked at Pantai Sentral despite it only opening in May last year.
Cars are also being stacked up in the Taman Connaught facility.
Other depots, such as the one in Sentul, are designated for towed vehicles that obstructed traffic, but they too are fast becoming dumping grounds for abandoned cars.
DBKL executive director (Socio-Economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin previously said that 10% to 15% of parking bays in government housing projects were occupied by abandoned vehicles.
Ground checks by StarMetro found that the problem has since worsened, with derelict cars now a common sight across commercial districts as well.
Worsening problem
The situation with abandoned cars has become so dire that it was even raised during a recent “Dialog Bandar Raya” session at the Muhibbah Community Complex in Bukit Jalil, attended by mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif and DBKL’s top management.
PPR Kampung Muhibbah Residents Association chairman Atar Bacha Haja told the mayor that over 250 vehicles had been left to rot within the compound.
“The abandoned vehicles, in addition to occupying limited parking spaces, have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and snakes,” he said, urging DBKL to tow them away from the PPR in Bukit Jalil.
An old car left abandoned under a bridge being towed to the depot by DBKL contractors. — Filepic
“Our carpark looks more like a scrapyard than a PPR,” said a PPR Kampung Muhibbah resident who only wanted to be known as Mohd Hafiz.
“Almost every row has one or two abandoned cars, some without tyres or windows.
“These cars take up bays that residents like me desperately need.
“By evening, we are forced to park by the road or double-park, and that just leads to more summonses,” he said.
Mohamed Nawaz: Abandoned vehicles at PPR Sri Aman are an eyesore and health hazard.In Kepong, PPR Sri Aman Rukun Tetangga chairman and residents association adviser Mohamed Nawaz Koya said that over 100 vehicles, including motorcycles, had been abandoned in the area.
“We have reported this repeatedly, but nothing has been done.
“These vehicles remain here, becoming eyesores and creating health hazards.
“DBKL must act before the situation gets any worse,” he urged.
Another resident of PPR Sri Aman, S. Kumar said some of the abandoned cars had even turned into storage facilities.
“People use them to keep old clothes, books, all sorts of things.
“It is unhygienic and it attracts rats and mosquitoes.
“We have complained many times, but the cars are still here, taking up space meant for residents,” he said.
Lim Wee Lian, who lives in Jalan Kelang Lama, said even her condominium carpark was filling up with abandoned vehicles.
“The growing number of stray cats hiding under these cars makes the place look unkempt and the whole area looks neglected,” she pointed out.
Legal process
One of the biggest hurdles is the lengthy process required to legally dispose of a vehicle.
DBKL must issue a 14-day notice before towing, but many owners simply shift their vehicles to another spot, forcing enforcement officers to restart the process.
After towing, DBKL must verify ownership with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and lodge a police report.
It must then wait three to six months to allow owners or their heirs to claim the cars before the vehicles can be auctioned.
Auctions are held only once a year, with each session involving 500 to 1,000 vehicles.
DBKL contractors marking a car that has been identified for auction. — Filepic
The Federal Territories Department (JWP) held a three-day workshop last month on the management of abandoned vehicles, bringing together DBKL, Putrajaya and Labuan corporations as well as the police and key ministries.
Among the proposals discussed were incentives for voluntary disposal, including a RM500 cash offer and RM2,000 rebate under Proton’s Xchange Programme.
A JWP official confirmed that as of last month, 4,510 complaints about abandoned vehicles had been received across the Federal Territories, 80% of them in Kuala Lumpur.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa told Parliament last month that DBKL received 1,009 public complaints between January and May this year, with most cases reported in Segambut, Seputeh, Setiawangsa and Bukit Bintang.
She said DBKL was working to speed up the gazetting process for unclaimed vehicles and that JPJ’s new e-Dereg system now allowed owners to cancel registration online, enabling vehicles to be sent to authorised automotive treatment facilities for disposal.
