Residents say they are forced to double-park because derelict cars are taking up parking space. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
The area around Kompleks Komuniti Muhibbah in Bukit OUG, Kuala Lumpur, has turned into a dumping ground for abandoned vehicles.
The derelict cars on Jalan 4/155 leading to the community complex, which also houses Klinik Kesihatan Muhibbah, obstruct traffic, causing congestion and posing a nuisance to the local community.
For more than two years, residents of Kampung Muhibbah People’s Housing Project (PPR) and surrounding areas have been calling for authorities to address the issue of old cars being left to rot at the site.
“We have written many letters and even lodged complaints with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) through its website to do something about these vehicles,” said Kampung Muhibbah PPR Residents Association chairman Attar Bacha Haja.
“We even reached out to the Seputeh Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) for help – I did everything I could to get help, but nothing has come out of my efforts.”
According to Attar, the main road in front of the community hall was a crucial artery used by residents, school buses and those visiting the clinic.
The abandoned cars occupy part of the road and nearby residents end up double- and sometimes triple-parked, creating further congestion.
The clinic’s Dr Afzan Zaini echoed Attar’s sentiment, adding that clinic staff and nurses who arrived early often found their path blocked by double- and triple-parked cars.
“We have to wait for people to move their cars so that we can enter the community complex area,” she said.
Dr Afzan said there had been times when traffic was backed up to the Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas).
Security guards at the community complex also reported an incident where an ambulance was unable to enter because of cars blocking the path.
“Even Alam Flora lorries have trouble getting into this place,” said a guard who did not want to be identified.
When StarMetro visited the area, there were many abandoned cars, some that appear to have been there for many years.
Some had broken windows and flat tyres while others were used to store rubbish.
Just outside the community hall, main roads along Jalan Puchong on Kuala Lumpur side and walkways are cluttered with abandoned cars as well.
When contacted, DBKL executive director (Socio-Economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin said the DBKL enforcement team had visited the area and issued four notices at the site.
“Vehicles will only be removed after the notice expires, which is early next week,’’ he said.
Separately, DBKL removed abandoned stalls with torn, fraying canopies and broken furniture on Jalan 4/155 following a StarMetro report on July 22, titled “Abandoned stalls in Bukit OUG an eyesore”.
Enforcement officers from DBKL’s Seputeh branch took away the items under Section 46(1)(d) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
Among the items seized were plastic tables and chairs, canopies, iron table frames, cooking stoves and other equipment.
The seized items were sent to the DBKL storage facility at Jalan Lombong, Taman Miharja, Cheras for further action.