RTD launches crackdown against illegal parking touts

KUALA LUMPUR: In an unprecedented move, Road Transport Department (RTD) has launched a crackdown against illegal parking attendants or parking touts in the capital city and Selangor.
In a two-day joint-operation by 36 personnel from Immigration Department, National Anti-Drug Agency, police and RTD, a total of nine suspects, aged between 33 and 53, were detained for allegedly collecting parking fees illegally on public roads.
The night ops were conducted on Friday and Saturday from 9pm until 7pm in Kampung Baru, Medan Tuanku, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, and Jalan Ampang while Shah Alam’s Uptown at Section 24 from 8pm until 2am.
RTD enforcement director Datuk Valluvan Vello said the move to curb the ‘jaga kereta’ menace was necessary due to public complaints.
He assured that the op against parking touts was “the beginning of series of RTD crackdown.”
“Parking touts activities have become a public nuisance and lately, getting out of control,” he said at the press conference held last night at the JPJ Kuala Lumpur office.
“Our enforcement officers made observation for three days and we nabbed these touts on Friday and Saturday,” said Valluvan.
“This is the first time suspects are charged under Section 50 (3) of Road Transport Act 1987 for extortion of money from car drivers.”
If found guilty, he said, a suspect could face fine up to RM2,000 or three months jail time or both.
The nine suspects will be brought to court tomorrow at the Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur court complex.
Valluvan also said three people were tested positive for methamphetamine and ganja while a foreigner was detained without valid documents in Kampung Baru.
It is learned that one of the alleged touts could earn up to RM700 per night during weekends.
Realising the motorist apprehension in major cities, Valluvan urged the public to come forward by providing details to aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my
“We often hear stories about touts asking for a parking fee whenever motorists park their vehicles by the roadside or near the buildings. So we need public assistance to give the info for us to nab them,” said Valluvan, adding that parking fee imposed by several entertainment outlets on public roads is also illegal.
“We have identified several hotspots in Klang Valley operated by these touts and we are out to get them,” he added.
On another development, Valluvan told reporters that 91 vehicles have been identified by RTD for abusing the emergency lane (Northbound) and obstructing emergency services on May 22 on the North-South Highway near Simpang Ampat, Malacca.
"This is based on several photos and videos that we have received. But we still need the public input for many other vehicles who blocked the lane. We would appreciate if the public can email the info to us," he added.