Singapore worker parking fiasco reaches boiling point

Kim Teng Park residents and businesses are fed up with workers parking their cars in the area before disappearing off to Singapore for work.

Being neighbours with Singapore has its perks, one of which is that many Malaysians can seek better job opportunities in the Lion City.

Despite being able to take up a job in Singapore, which we suppose leads to better income, it seems that it is not enough as many Malaysians who work in Singapore are still trying to find ways to retain their income as much as they can, which has led to some of them parking their vehicles in Johor  Bahru for free before heading off to work in Singapore.

The Star recently reported that 'Singapore workers are taking up parking bays in JB', and while this might seem innocent, they are irritating Residents and businesses in the Kim Teng Park area, as some of them leave their cars there for up to 10 days at a time.

Picture credit: The Star

According to The Star, Kim Teng Park, was a favourite spot for motorists to park for free before travelling to Singapore for work. Kim The area is within walking distance of the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar.

Residents and businesses had said the neighbourhood's close proximity to the CIQ had led to many of those working in Singapore to park there, with some of them doing it for days, making it difficult for businesses because customers cannot find parking.

Cars were also parked on the road outside houses, making it dangerous for other drivers in the residential area reported The Star.

While residents and businesses have taken extreme measures to ensure that they don't park there, such as placing flower pots and garbage bins at the parking bay, it seems that their deterrent won't stop them as the workers have" even removed flower pots placed in front of residential houses to park their cars".

Wong Lee Fei, who has lived at Kim Teng Park for 36 years, wishes that the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) would take drastic actions to solve the problem.

"MBJB should impose tougher penalties like towing away their cars.I believe only then will these people learn a lesson," said Wong.

MBJB is aware of parking issues in Kim Teng Park and will be taking appropriate action to deal with the matter. However, Mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said MBJB would not be towing the car away straight away, even though it has the power to do so.

He said MBJB will use a more humane approach and raise awareness among all motorists in Johor Baru, not just in Kim Teng Park, so that they can be more considerate to others.

"So that is why, starting this year, our enforcement team will make an announcement for the first five minutes."

"This is to notify vehicle owners, especially those who have parked their cars in an undesignated location or blocked any route," he said.

"If the enforcement team does not receive any response, then their vehicle will be towed," he said, adding that motorists would need to pay around RM500 to get their vehicles back (depending on the offence).

Picture credit: My Metro

Mohd Noorazam said the city council is currently upgrading its tow truck to be equipped with sirens and loudspeakers to improve its operations.

He also warned businesses and residents to stop placing items in the parking bay as it is illegal. If they do so, they may get fines as compounds would be issued under Section 46 of the Street, Drainage, and Building (Amendment) Act 1993 for placing obstructions in public places.

"Any premises owner who wishes to reserve parking spaces can apply to rent the bay for RM150 per month.

As you can see, not only have these workers caused trouble for the businesses and residents there, but they may even get them fined. We hope MBJB finds a solution as it seems unfair for the people of Kim Teng Park.