Residents Association of SS4C in PJ is against a depot for abandoned vehicles being set up nearby the housing estate. — Filepic
Abandoned vehicles left in front of houses and at commercial areas are an eyesore.
Local authorities are not proactive enough to go round places to identify abandoned vehicles.
Things such as deflated tyres, plant growth around the wheels, thick layer of dust and dirt on windscreens or expired road tax are clear signs of an abandoned vehicle.
As ratepayers, residents expect the local council to keep neighbourhoods clean, liveable and safe.
An abandoned vehicle catches residents’ attention as it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Every activity or project executed by the local authority is meant to enhance and improve residents’ living conditions.
However, this is not the case in a recent action by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
More than 10 years ago, there was an empty land with vegetation measuring approximately 300m by 100m, between Jalan SS2/4b and SS4/21 in Petaling Jaya.
Across the land is the Kelana Jaya LRT station carpark, which was at that time fully occupied as it was the first station of the LRT line to Gombak.
It was around 2015 that MBPJ decided to convert the empty land to add some 200 more parking bays for the Kelana Jaya LRT station.
However, sometime later the extension of Kelana Jaya LRT line to the Putra Heights LRT station started operations.
With the extension, the Kelana Jaya LRT became a transit station.
Less vehicles use the carpark and the additional parking area became a white elephant.
Then around July 2024, the SS4C Residents Association received a notice that MBPJ was intending to use part of the unutilised carpark as storage for abandoned vehicles.
Residents were not receptive to the idea and protested.
Despite that, MBPJ proceeded to erect hoardings at the site.
Residents envisage the abandoned vehicle storage, if it comes into effect, would be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, rodents, monitor lizards and snakes.
All of these would not bode well for the residents.
Residents still hope MBPJ abandons its decision for the good of the residents.
Maybe the space could be better used as a recreational area for residents.
WONG SOO KAN
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
