Padawan Municipal Council removes 20 abandoned vehicles, ensures proper disposal

KUCHING (Oct 7): Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has removed 20 abandoned vehicles within its jurisdiction this year as part of cleanliness and environmental sustainability initiatives, said chairman Tan Kai.

He told reporters these 20 abandoned vehicles were without owners and have since been disposed of appropriately.

“We will remove and dispose of damaged cars, which occupy our parking bays. In fact, we have already removed quite a number of these abandoned vehicles.

“This year alone, 20 abandoned vehicles have already been dealt with. As you know, MPP has no parking control, so some of the parking bays are occupied by these abandoned vehicles for a long time,” he said.

Tan was representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Hui Hian at the launch of the MPP Cleanliness and Environmental Sustainability Programme in conjunction with World Environmental Health Day at Emart Batu Kawa.

He pointed out the council does not remove abandoned or damaged vehicles immediately upon public complaints or requests.

He said MPP has to first issue a statutory notice to inform the owners to remove their vehicles before any further action can be taken.

“We usually put up a notice first, allowing a seven-day grace period for the owners to remove their cars. If no owner comes forward to claim the vehicle, or no one removes the vehicles, we will remove them. But we do serve the notice,” he explained.

However, abandoned or damaged vehicles that block access ways would be removed immediately.

He said some abandoned vehicles have owners.

“This is why we do not remove them without notice served. Some of those owners do dispose of their damaged vehicles as scrap metal.

“We also have to check with the JPJ (Road Transport Department) and try to contact the owners,” he said.

He advised the public to call MPP’s hotline on 082-615566 to report abandoned or damaged vehicles so that the council can take action.

Separately, Tan said MPP carries out a buyback campaign once a month to help ensure used electronic products are disposed of in an appropriate manner.

Details of the buyback campaign can be found on MPP’s website, with previous campaigns held at Kuching City Mall and Matang.

“On top of the once-a-month buyback campaign, the public can also sell off used electronic products to a company in Batu Kitang,” he said, adding they can call MPP for more information.

He also said MPP will organise an anti-dengue campaign together with the Health Department.