Abandoned cars at Jalan Simbang in Taman Perling, Johor Baru.
UNWANTED or damaged cars left abandoned in residential areas within the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) jurisdiction are on the increase.
Taman Universiti area councillor Fakhrul Zafran Absi Kamarul Zaman, who said this, reprimanded vehicle owners.
“They are treating the parking bays, roadside and back alleys of the housing estates as dumping sites for their derelict vehicles.”
Fakhrul Zafran said such owners were expecting others to dispose of their unwanted vehicles.
He added that most of the cars had been left for so many years that some no longer even had road tax discs, plate numbers, tyres, windows or steering wheels.
“We do not know who the owners are and we cannot dispose of the vehicles (without identifying them),” said Fakhrul Zafran after the MBIP full board meeting.
He said local authorities had to follow standard operating procedures set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
“We cannot dispose of the vehicle in the event the owner turns up to claim it,” said Fakhrul Zafran.
Iskandar Puteri mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad acknowleged the abandoned vehicle issue but said MBIP was having problems accommodating them at its depot in Taman Damai Jaya as it was running out of space.
“The vehicles have been left at the depot from five to even up to 20 years.
“We could not dispose of them as we can’t trace the owners,” he said when approached.
Mohd Haffiz said MBIP’s seminar on abandoned and damaged vehicles, a few years ago, was attended by all local authorities in the country.
“We cannot do much to address this problem unless the ministry reviews the existing laws pertaining to the disposal of abandoned vehicles,” he said.
Another issue plaguing residents in MBIP was illegally parked factory buses and lorries in housing areas, he said.
The vehicles, especially those parked near junctions and school areas, could obstruct the view of motorists, he added.
Mohd Haffiz said the city council would raise the illegally parked factory buses and lorries issue with the relevant enforcement agencies.
