A VIRAL video has once again highlighted the chronic parking issues at People’s Housing Projects (PPR) and public housing schemes (PA) across Kuala Lumpur.
The video showed rows of double-parked vehicles at PPR Jelatek despite the recent opening of a brand-new multi-storey parking facility there.
Several vehicles had also spilled over onto a nearby river reserve and along the busy Jalan Jelatek main road, highlighting the severity of the parking problem in the area.
It has been reported that under the original planning ratio for public housing projects, only one bay had been allocated for every four housing units.
This has proven insufficient as households continue to increase vehicular ownership today.
To address the limited parking space, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) constructed multi-storey carparks at various PPR and PA areas across the city, at an average cost of RM30mil each.
DBKL said awareness efforts were ongoing to encourage greater usage.
Too steep a price
Residents said several factors discouraged vehicle owners from using the multi-storey parking facilities, with rental costs among the biggest concerns.
DBKL currently charges RM60 a month for the first parking bay.
Additional bay rentals are charged higher rates (see sidebar).
At PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak, many vehicles are parked along Jalan Budiman 1 despite a multi-level carpark built to serve the two residential blocks there.
The facility, which opened in 2018, also includes a community hall, badminton courts and food stalls.
A resident who wanted to be known only as Yati, 43, said the monthly parking fee was beyond what she could afford.
“I sell homemade nasi lemak and kuih at the night market, so I need a vehicle to transport my products.
“Paying that amount means sacrificing money needed for daily necessities.
“It is a daily struggle trying to find parking whenever I return home,” she said, hoping the authorities would consider lowering the rates for low-income residents like her.
At PA Seri Kota, located opposite PPR Taman Mulia, the multi-storey parking facility also appeared largely underutilised.
To rent parking bays, tenants are required to settle outstanding rental and utility arrears.
Resident M. Kathivaran, 59, said he applied to rent a parking bay several years ago but was rejected.
“They told me I had outstanding rent for my unit and therefore could not qualify for a parking bay.
“I was unable to pay for about a year after losing my job during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Although I have resumed paying my rent, there is no way I can afford to make a lump sum payment for all the arrears at once,” he said.
At PPR Hiliran Ampang, a reduction in parking rates has seen an increase in bay rentals.
Zaini Yahya, 60, said his family was renting four parking bays at the PPR’s multi-storey facility
He said when the facility first opened around four years ago, each housing unit was only allowed to apply for one parking space, with the rental set at RM60 per month at the time.
“When there were barely any takers, the management expanded the number of bays each household could apply for.
“It also reduced the rates to RM45 per bay.
“This is a very reasonable rate. I no longer have to worry about finding parking space,” he said.
Zaini added that the management had recently opened Level 6 of the seven-storey building, following increased demand for parking bays.
Another resident, Rosli Saad, 54, said using the facility provided him with greater peace of mind.
“I do not have to worry about looking for parking if I return home late at night, or getting blocked because somebody double-parked in front of my vehicle.
“There were also cases of car break-ins and vehicle damage before this.
“I no longer worry about this,” he said, adding that parking bays were allocated through a balloting system.
However, double parking remains widespread throughout the housing scheme.
During StarMetro’s visit on a weekday morning, numerous vehicles were still seen double-
parked along the narrow internal roads within the compound.
Both Zaini and Rosli acknowledged, however, that the parking fees could be burdensome for many low-cost housing residents.
“While some residents are able to afford the extra cost, there are many others who simply cannot.
“At least the multi-storey carpark gives people an option and helps improve the overall parking situation,” Rosli said.
Bogged down by paperwork
At PPR Intan Baiduri in Kepong, residents claimed that the lengthy application process and documentation requirements were among the main reasons that discouraged people from applying for parking bays.
The multi-storey carpark there was completed in September 2017, but remained inaccessible to residents until December
2018 when it was granted its Certificate of Completion and Compliance.
PPR Intan Baiduri Residents Association deputy chairman Khairul Anuwar Yusoff said applicants were required to prepare numerous supporting documents before being considered for a parking bay.
“Vehicle grants, the registered owner’s details for the housing unit and even salary slips are among the documents required.
“If there is insufficient documentation, applicants have to restart the process.
“When that happens, many people lose interest and do not bother reapplying.”
Khairul Anuwar said the long waiting period for approvals also discouraged some from applying.
“There would definitely be more takers if DBKL considered relaxing some requirements and review the rental fees.”
He added that while the facility had benefitted residents overall, its location meant it could only effectively serve three out of the six PPR blocks in the area.
“The other three blocks are located too far away from the facility.
“Although the carpark is beneficial overall, we need a more holistic solution for the parking problem.”
Khairul Anuwar, who is also the association Block A chairman, said congestion was further worsened by abandoned vehicles occupying parking bays.
He suggested that DBKL take aggressive action to remove derelict vehicles in order to free up additional parking spaces for residents.
Double parking persists at PPR Intan Baiduri in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, while the multi-storey facility has empty lots.
Access to the multi-storey carpark at PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak is limited to residents via an access card.
Zaini says PPR Hiliran Ampang management has opened a new level due to increased demand.
Rosli says he no longer worries about car break-ins since he started using the parking lot.
The multi-storey carpark at PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak was opened in 2018 to service two blocks of housing.
PPR Intan Baiduri multi-storey carpark in Kepong has sundry shops and other businesses to cater to residents.
A derelict car taking up much-needed parking space at PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak.
Khairul Anuwar says applicants are required to prepare numerous supporting documents.
CCTV installed at the PPR Hiliran Ampang carpark for users’ safety.
The multi-storey carpark at PPR Hiliran Ampang also includes a food court and sports facilites. -AZMAN GHANI/The Star
The carpark at PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak also has a futsal court at the rooftop.-AZMAN GHANI/The Star
Double-parked vehicles at PPR Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak.-AZMAN GHANI/The Star
Double parking is a persistent issue at PPR Intan Baiduri in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
Vehicles double-parked at PPR Hiliran Ampang despite the seven-storey parking facility (on the left). -AZMAN GHANI/The Star
