The latest development to the problem is the impending closure of two of Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) vehicle depots by the end of the year.
Both the depots – the Salak Selatan Depot and Jalan Emas Depot – are sitting on land belonging to the Federal Territories Land Office, and the land office wants them back.
DBKL executive director Datuk Mohd Najib Mohd said the cars stored at both depots would be moved to two other depots belonging to DBKL.
“We are discussing with the land office on other available locations in Kuala Lumpur for new depots.
The Taman Connaught Depot covers 1.74ha and can store up to 800 vehicles.
“There were previous discussions to look for land outside of Kuala Lumpur such as Selayang but since it will be out of our jurisdiction, it creates complications,” he said.
DBKL enforcement department senior deputy director Osman Ismail said the Salak Selatan depot had a capacity to accommodate 200 vehicles on a 0.40ha land while the Jalan Emas one can house 300 vehicles on a 0.65ha land.
The Salak Selatan Depot is also where the office for the depots are located.
With both sold off, Osman said the abandoned vehicles would be moved to the Batu Muda and Taman Connaught depots.
The Taman Connaught depot is currently the biggest one among four and sits on 1.74ha land with a capacity to hold 800 vehicles.
Batu Muda depot can take in 300 vehicles on a 0.40ha land.
“We have discussed with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz and Mohd Najib on the issue of storage space and they said they would look for new locations,” said Osman.
On statistics, he said the number of cars that were towed by DBKL in 2015 was 527 and 609 motorcycles.
DBKL Enforcement Officer Insp Mohd Nazeri Din taking note of new cars brought into the Taman Connaught Depot.
“Between January and December last year, we towed away 864 cars and 740 motorcycles, and from January to June this year 621 cars and 402 motorcycles were pulled away,” he said.
He said more people are abandoning their vehicles as value of cars and motorcycles deteriorated faster now and people were inclined to follow the trend of having the latest models.
“Also, many car dealers are offering zero downpayment for cars, attracting many to sign up,” he said.
DBKL started auctioning cars and motorcycles at its depots last year to free up space to store more abandoned vehicles.
image: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/08/08/scouting-for-new-locations-dbkl-has-also-held-several-auctions-to-free-up-space-at-its-depots/~/media/e6584392f0ff4d51b95066ccde0145ff.ashx?h=367&w=550
“We held three auctions last year and four this year,” he said.
On March 12 last year, DBKL announced that those wanting to dispose of dilapidated vehicles could now do so for free.
However, Osman said the response was poor and that less than 10 people called to have their cars towed from their homes.
“There were people who called to enquire about the offer but wanted to be paid between RM100 and RM200 in return.
“We do not offer money and only offer to tow the unwanted vehicles,” he said.
He said in 2016, the number of cars auctioned last year was 397 while 630 motorcycles were auctioned off for RM172,000.
A man bidding for vehicles at the auction at the DBKL Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Department office on April 5.
“From January to June this year, we auctioned 475 cars and 624 motorcycles for a total of RM134,000.”
Osman said the money went to DBKL’s Finance Department.
“Most of the people who attend the auctions are from automobile workshops.
“We auction off vehicles that fall into two categories; one is with engine and spare parts still attached while the other is beyond repair,” he said.
He added that before the auction, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) would strip the ownership of previous owners of the vehicles.
“If the car is repaired with the engine, the new owners will have to go to JPJ and Puspakom to register it.
“Those without engine and spare parts such as the mirrors and doors do not have to,” he said.
To also overcome storage issues, DBKL have appointed DRB-Hicom Environmental Services (DHES) Sdn Bhd to take away cars deemed beyond repair such as those with only the frame left and without an engine.
There is no long-term solution to the abandoned car issue in Kuala Lumpur due to red tape and owners being unable to pay for repairs and hence, leaving their cars at workshops or dumping them on the roadside.
Osman said based on his observation, the US and Japan are creative in bringing life to old beat-up cars.
“So much so, there are different workshop competing with one another in terms of creativity.
“However, it is hard for workshops here to do it due to red tape on modifications disallowed by JPJ,” he said.
Those who want to contact DBKL on abandoned cars can call DBKL Complaints Hotline at 1800 88 3255 or DBKL Enforcement Department Operations Room at 03-4024 4424 (24-hours).
The public can also Whatsapp at 019- 212 0031.
