Several parking bays occupied by a car workshop in Pandan Perdana. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
About 20 operators taking up 30% of lots, says area’s JMB which wants Ampang council to take action
SOME 20 car workshop operating at the commercial area in Pandan Perdana in Ampang, Selangor are depriving residents and visitors of much-needed parking spaces.
The issue is compounded by operators using more than their allocated reserved or rented parking bays, which is normally one or two per business.
Residents of the shophouses complained that with most of the lots taken up, they are forced to park illegally, resulting in them being issued fines by the local authority.
Badan Pengurusan Bersama (JMB) Rumah/Kedai RK60 is hoping Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) will beef up enforcement against workshop operators who misuse the parking bays and come up with a long-term solution.
Its representative, who wanted to be known only as Siti Rodiah, estimated that more than 30% of the 200 parking bays were taken up by the operators.
“We have about 420 units of shops and houses, there aren’t enough parking spaces for residents and visitors.
“Operators hog the bays to park their customers’ vehicles for weeks.
“On average, each workshop uses about four bays each, with one corner unit using up to eight bays,” she told StarMetro.
Siti Rodiah said this had caused conflict between residents and visitors with workshop operators.“Several even ‘book’ parking bays with objects and will scold those who attempt to remove them.
“Action is taken whenever we complain to MPAJ, but this only results in compounds issued or vehicles being towed away after some time but we want a long-term solution,” said Siti Rodiah.
Workshops using rubbish bins and advertisement banners to reserve bays.
A frequent visitor to the area, Kenneth Tee, said the situation is becoming worse.
“Several years ago, I could find parking quite easily.
“But now, even at night, it’s difficult to find any open bays, especially since several are occupied by derelict vehicles.
“This area is no longer suitable for small industries like workshops as there are residential units and eateries,” he said.
During StarMetro’s visit, it was observed that only a few workshops had reserved parking bays in front of their premises.
Parking bays legitimately reserved by business proprietors for their customers were demarcated by red lines.
Some workshops also placed their tools, advertisement banners and even vehicles being repaired in the bays, either directly in front of the shops or adjacent to it.
MPAJ Zone 21 councillor R. Moganraj said several measures have been introduced to address parking issues in the area.
Moganraj, who oversees Pandan Perdana, said MPAJ had allocated an open space nearby for workshop operators to park vehicles.
“They can rent the space there to park the vehicles while waiting for insurance claims or the arrival of spare parts.
“They are not allowed to do any automotive work but can drive or tow the vehicles to the workshops when needed.
“This would at least free up the public parking bays,” he said.
However, Moganraj said there had been no takers since the space was made available last month.
He said MPAJ’s enforcement officers were continuing to monitor the area and urged operators to utilise the designated open space.
