MOTORISTS in Cyberjaya, Selangor, are warned that their vehicles will be towed by the local authority for parking illegally in any part of the smart city.
Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) enforcement director Mohd Azran Musa said the whole of Cyberjaya was a tow zone.
Among areas where most vehicles have been towed away are Persiaran Multimedia and Jalan Perdana, as well as near Cyberjaya Utara and Cyberjaya City Centre MRT stations.
He said the local council was very strict in enforcing parking rules in the planned city.
“Cyberjaya has an image to uphold and there are many expatriate communities who live in the area.
“Motorists who park anywhere other than designated parking bays risk their vehicles being towed.
“Release fee for towed vehicles in Cyberjaya is RM300 plus a storage fee of RM10 per day,” Mohd Azran said in a written response to StarMetro on MPSepang’s enforcement of illegal parking in the area.
The most common reason given by motorists parking their vehicles improperly was that they were there only for a short while, he said.
“People often justify illegal parking by saying ‘I am only stopping for a minute’.”
“But when others see this, they may copy the behaviour, causing a larger parking problem.
“We understand that some motorists are really only stopping for a minute or two – that is why we give a 15-minute grace period before towing cars away.”
Mohd Azran said the towing team would normally switch on a siren or speak through a loud speaker to advise illegally parked motorists to move their vehicles.
“There is a misconception that the team is on the hunt to tow vehicles, but the truth is the opposite.
“We want to educate motorists and give them time to do the right thing.
“If the vehicles are removed within 15 minutes or before we lock their tyres, no action will be taken,” he said.
As of end-May, Mohd Azran said MPSepang had towed 941 vehicles and collected RM260,640 in related fees.
The MPSepang towing teams, he said, were only operating in Cyberjaya, Dengkil and Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi (BBST).
However, he said the local council planned to make all areas under its jurisdiction into a towing zone in the near future.
“Haphazard parking inconveniences people.
“Vehicle release fee in areas other than Cyberjaya is RM150 plus storage fee.
“The lower rate in other areas is because much of the places included rural areas, so we want to keep the rates affordable.”
Mohd Azran said motorists could also call WhatsApp number 019-201 2645 to check if their vehicle had been towed, adding that the number was also displayed on MPSepang signboards at parking areas.
He said the three depots in Cyberjaya, Dengkil and BBST would be open from 8am to 6pm on weekdays to help motorists claim their vehicles.
