CYBERJAYA: Authorities have begun to clamp down on those who park indiscriminately along the road shoulder in the residential and business area here, issuing fines and towing away vehicles.
However this has not gone down well with the residents, who described their actions as insensitive, especially as they are struggling with the rising cost of living.
The residents claim they are aware that it is an offence to park their vehicles along the road shoulder, but feel that the local authorities could be more sensitive and instead find a solution in dealing with the parking problem faced by residents.
A recent survey in the Persiaran Apec vicinity yesterday found that dozens of vehicles were issued fines after apartment residents parked their vehicles on the road shoulder.
A resident who only wanted to be known as Zainal, in his 40s, said he was fined several times when he parked his vehicle on the road shoulder, including near the Persiaran Cyber business area when he went to buy necessities.
"I agree that if a vehicle is parked for a long time and blocks the path, the owner should be fined, but sometimes we only take a moment and the law enforcers seem to be intolerant to this," he said.
According to him, the lack of parking bays in the area have caused many drivers to park their vehicles indiscriminately.
"Not only the customers, the traders in the area also often complain that it is difficult to park because the available spaces are limited," he said.
Mohd Zarif Alimin, 45, hoped that the local authorities would also focus on other major issues such as improving the administrative and governance system, non-functioning street lights, potholed roads and the problem of flash floods that add to the suffering of the people.
"Compounds alone will not solve this problem, in fact the local authorities will become the target of anger among the residents.
"The solution is to build more parking areas, whether free or paid, in residential areas and places where people gather," he said.