Yee (in front, blue shirt) with factory workers in Kepong who are protesting against the parking charges that will be imposed in the area. — Photo: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
OWNERS of factories operating along Jalan Metro Perdana 12 and Sri Edaran Industrial Park in Kepong are unhappy over a recent move by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to impose parking fees in the area.
After 30 years of free parking, they argue that the decision is unjustified, pointing out that they already pay a significant amount in assessment taxes to the local authority.
Furthermore, they say the road in front of their factories, often used by heavy machinery such as forklifts, is unsuitable for parking bays.
“Last week, I saw a DBKL contractor putting up a signboard to inform the public that parking charges would soon be implemented and that was how we found out about it,” said S. Subramaniam, a contractor working nearby.
“No notice or explanation was given. This isn’t right. We haven’t been paying for parking here for decades,” he added.
Another worker, KF Voon, who has worked in the area for many years, pointed out that industrial roads were frequently used by heavy machinery, which require unobstructed space to operate.
“Parking bays are simply unsuitable and would interfere with these activities, potentially causing a safety hazard,” said Voon.
A business owner, Jeffrey Tan, stressed that roads in industrial zones were not designed for regular parking.
“Converting these areas into parking bays will reduce their functionality and make them less suitable for industrial activities.
“The machinery used here requires large spaces to manoeuvre, so this move is just not practical,” he reiterated.
The business owners sought assistance from community activist Yee Poh Ping.
“The decision to implement parking fees in this industrial area is not only impractical but also an inefficient use of taxpayers’ money,” said Yee.
“DBKL will have to spend a significant amount on manpower to enforce the parking rules and redraw lines for the bays.
“Such efforts would be better utilised in commercial or residential areas, not in an industrial zone where business owners are already contributing substantially through taxes,” he added.
When contacted, a DBKL spokesperson confirmed that they were implementing parking charges in the area.
“Since 2016, DBKL has the authority to collect fees for any parking bays it has marked out in accordance with Road Transport (Provision of Parking Places) Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Order 2016.
“It just wasn’t enforced before and people took advantaged of that.
“But last October, we appointed four new parking operators to place banners and bunting throughout the city to inform business owners and residents about the upcoming charges.
“The operators will be going around scanning the vehicles to monitor defaulters, so motorists must comply with the law,” the spokesperson said, adding that contractors would be sent to draw the lines on the road for the respective bays.
