One of the CCTV cameras installed at Jalan SS4C/5 to monitor traffic. — Photos: LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has installed two closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at Jalan SS4C/5 to stop illegal parking that has plagued the Kelana Jaya, Selangor, neighbourhood.
Zone 7 councillor John Leong Chee Cheng said the move in late December was made after repeated enforcement action failed to deter motorists from double-parking along the road near the commercial area, particularly during peak lunch hours.
“There are at least 14 cafes operating here now, but the area only has about 100 parking bays,” he said during a site visit.
Leong showing the proposed entry along Jalan SS4C/1 to the open-air carpark that can serve the commercial area.
Leong said the disparity between commercial growth and parking availability had forced motorists to park along narrow road shoulders and junctions, creating safety hazards.
“Even after MBPJ and the police carry out enforcement, the problem recurs the moment officers leave.
“That is why we decided to instal two CCTV cameras as a longer-term solution,” he said.
He explained that the CCTV cameras allowed enforcement officers to monitor traffic remotely and respond more quickly to violations.
“Officers can issue warnings via an integrated speaker system and, if a motorist does not respond, enforcement teams will be despatched immediately, with the footage serving as evidence,” said Leong.
MBPJ, he said, was also exploring artificial intelligence-based enforcement systems, though legal and procedural frameworks must first be established.
“In the long run, we want to move towards smarter enforcement, but this will take time.”
To address the parking shortage, Leong said the city council was looking at improving access to an 800-bay open-air carpark near the commercial row.
He explained that the existing entry point to the carpark along Jalan SS2/1 was about 1km from the commercial area.
“At the moment, motorists can spend up to 20 minutes to get to the entrance.
“We are proposing new entry along Jalan SS4C/1, closer to the commercial area, to make it easier for workers and visitors to access the carpark,” he said.
Leong added that the facility offered a RM3 flat rate for full-day parking and the new access would be completed within this year.
He also acknowledged the role of the local residents association (RA) in working with MBPJ on traffic management measures such as road markings, barriers and safety features at junctions.
“One of the biggest issues is visibility.
“Cars parked at junctions block the view of motorists and accidents can happen as a result,” he said.
Harvinder says parking chaos at the SS4 commercial area leads to safety fears.
Former SS4C and SS4D RA chairman Harvinder Singh, who now serves as association adviser, said the parking chaos had led to safety fears and confrontations.
“This area lacks designated parking for motorcycles and people with disabilities, which makes the situation worse,” Harvinder said.
He further recounted a harrowing incident where he was assaulted after advising a driver not to park in a junction box.
“I was attacked just for telling someone not to park there and ended up making a police report.
“This parking situation is causing residents a lot of stress,” he said.
He noted that twice-weekly clamping operations and CCTV monitoring had helped.
“If enforcement stops, people will park illegally. It has to be continuous for behaviour to change,” said Harvinder.
