A transport operator has been given one week to remove its buses and vans from residential roads in Taman Bukit Indah, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued the directive following a joint inspection with the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) on Sept 22.
The operator was told to submit proof that the vehicles have been relocated.
An officer involved in the operation, who declined to be named, said the operator had agreed to find an alternative parking site.
“We will give him one week to do so, after which we will return to check on the situation.”
The officer said the authorities were still determining the appropriate action, as several agencies and jurisdictions were involved.
StarMetro in its frontpage report, “Buses, vans hogging KL residential roads” on Sept 22, had raised the issue of residential roads in the neighbourhood off Jalan Kelang Lama being turned into a depot.
In a statement to StarMetro, DBKL said the case had been handled in stages, including a mediation session on Sept 3 involving residents, police representatives and other stakeholders.
During the session, DBKL identified several issues, including concrete structures built over drains, building works and alterations to premises without approval.
As some of the issues fell under the jurisdiction of other agencies, the statement said DBKL returned to the site on Sept 22 for a joint inspection with Apad and the operator.
The inspection found buses and vans parked on Jalan Nyaman 11 narrowing the road and inconveniencing residents and other road users.
Following the inspection, DBKL issued an enforcement notice under Section 46(1)(a) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
Yellow tape was placed around the affected area to restrict its use.
However, when StarMetro visited the site yesterday, the tape had been removed.
A resident, who declined to be named, claimed that the yellow tape was removed as soon as the DBKL officers left.
“We have seen such exercises before, so only time will tell whether anything will really change.”
DBKL also identified a religious structure, garage and store at the site.
It said these structures would be referred to the Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office for further action.
It said monitoring along Jalan Nyaman 11 and other areas would continue and further action would be taken if any offence or non-compliance was detected.
An Apad spokesperson said the agency could not issue summonses for parking offences or remove vehicles from public roads.
Such on-site enforcement has to be carried out by DBKL, Road Transport Department (JPJ) or the police, said the Apad spokesperson.
However, Apad could act if it received documented evidence of an offence or breach of licensing conditions.
“We can suspend or revoke an operator’s licence, but there must first be evidence proving that a breach has taken place.
“If DBKL, JPJ or the police take enforcement action and document the offence, Apad can assess the operator’s record and consider action against its licence,” said the spokesperson.
