Parking woes of the disabled

Drivers don’t fear fines, says councillor

IT was like listening to a broken record until councillor Tan Heng Kim spoke up at the Klang Municipal Council’s full board meeting yesterday.

 

Tan, the disabled community’s representative, wanted stern action taken against drivers who park at handicapped-designated bays.

“I was in Klang town before the Hari Raya holidays and there was one car at the handicapped-designated
parking lot. I did not see a handicapped person’s sticker on the car and I called the enforcement officers.

“Kudos to them as they came within five minutes and issued a compound. However, I returned to the same spot later at night only to find that the car was still there and two more summonses were issued. The driver is obviously not bothered about the compound,” said Tan.

“What we need is a method that is effective to stop irresponsible people from parking at handicapped designated parking lots. I suggest that we clamp their car tyre. This will definitely strike fear into them,” he added.

The suggestion was well received across the floor. But the council’s legal department director Datin Fadzilah Abd Aziz said: “Since 2007, it has been a requirement that all municipal councils in the State standardise all by-laws.

Before we start clamping, we need to bring up the issue with the State government. It should be discussed with all the other councils,” said Fadzilah.

She was then asked by councillor Ivan Ho if towing away such vehicles was possible. She said: “Yes, that’s possible. But it falls back to the council, as we need a place to store the vehicles that have been towed. We would also need tow-trucks for that.”

Council president Mislan Tugiu called for councillors to be patient until the legal department proposes the idea to other councils at a meeting next month.

“I ask that the enforcement officers and the police work together in solving this issue until we get the legal matters sorted out. But take immediate action against those who do not comply with the law,” Mislan said.

Klang Sentral to Shah Alam bus route to draw in the crowd

Councillor Razali Hassan suggested that a new bus route be opened to Klang Sentral.

The second-term term councillor said the route from Klang Sentral to Shah Alam via Puncak Alam would be a good way to bring in more passengers to the RM12 million bus terminal on Jalan Meru.

“I believe it will bring in more passengers as Shah Alam residents should also benefit from Klang Sentral,” Razali said.

 

 

 

Action to be taken against errant drivers

Councillor Ivan Ho informed the meeting that he has been receiving numerous complaints from shopowners that some drivers are not complying with the new road system implemented in Klang since last month.

Council president Mislan Tugiu requested that the police and council enforcement officers be placed at Jalan Goh Hock Huat and Lorong Tapah — which were highlighted as traffic congestion areas.

Buses are the bad apples

A Representative from the Public Works Department said public buses are the main cause of traffic chaos in Klang town.

“The bus drivers park as they wish and they pick up passengers wherever they feel like. The traffic flow is good now but these buses are causing the congestion. We need to take immediate action,” he said.

Council president Mislan Tugiu said the police and council enforcement officers should take action against the bus drivers. He urged the board to speed up the process with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board to move all the buses to Klang Sentral.