Used-car dealers want to stay put in Taman Kanagapuram

By Jade Chan
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/4/18/central/8494872&sec=central

THE Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau handed over a memorandum to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s office requesting to look into the plight of used car dealers in Taman Kanagapuram in Petaling Jaya.

Bureau deputy chairman, Kelvin Chong, said the used-car dealers were appealing to Khalid to help resolve their plight.

“This would mean overriding the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) eviction notice for the dealers to move out.

“We urge the mentri besar to provide an opportunity for the dealers to continue their business.

“Some of the dealers who approached our bureau for help even came crying as they have invested their savings into their business and have no money left to relocate.

“We hope the state government would consider allowing the dealers to operate their business out of residential premises, just like the operators along Jalan SS2/24 and Jalan Gasing.”

Highlighting traders’ plight: Chong (right) and Hanipuddin (second from right) holding copies of the memorandum that they handed over to Khalid’s office. With them are (from left) bureau committee member Lim Yong Han, bureau deputy chairman Allan Liew and PJ Selatan Umno committee member Raja Azman Raja Aidros.

Taman Medan state liaison officer Raja Datuk Hanipuddin Raja Datuk Nong Chik said evicting the dealers would result losses in millions, but legalising them would earn the council some revenue.

The used car dealers said they were in a dilemma because they have been operating their used- and new car dealership businesses for years, and had invested a big amount, including property purchase.

They said their numerous attempts to apply for a business licence had been to no avail, and that more than 200 employees would be affected by the eviction.

However, the Taman Kanaga-puram Residents’ Association (RA) wants the used-car dealers to move out because none had approval from the local authority to operate in a residential area.

Besides contravening Section 18 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 which prohibits any use of land or building other than those stipulated in the local plan, the RA attributed the used-car businesses to the increased congestion and crime rate in the residential area.

Of the 119 lots in Taman Kanagapuram, the RA said 42 lots (about 35%) were illegally converted to business premises.

Twenty-four of the 42 lots are used for car dealerships and the others comprise scrap metal businesses, old folk’s home as well as places of worship.

The MBPJ confirmed that the used-car dealers had committed an offence for misuse of building because the houses they are operating from had not been converted into business premises.

The council also said enforcement action had been delayed numerous times despite several notices due to the traders’ appeals.

Yuen Mun Wai and Mohd Gafil Mohd Fauzi, who are both Taman Kanagapuram business operators and house owners, questioned the legality of the RA and whether the association truly represented all the residents.

“We are also residents but the RA has not made any attempt to engage us. When the traders attend meetings with the council, only a handful of the residents turn up,” said Mohd Gafil.

“The properties facing the Old Klang Road and New Pantai Expressway are not ideal for residential anymore due to their proximity to the main roads and high volume of traffic.

“If the properties in which the traders are operating from are vacated, they would either be left empty or be used as drug haunts,” he said.

Yuen said since the traders were carrying out business activities there, the value of the properties would also go up.

He said they would look into forming their own RA.

Trader Tan Hai Chuan said the dealers had approached Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee for assistance, but he only helped them extend their eviction deadline and not resolve the relocation issue.

When contacted, Taman Kanaga-puram RA president S. Selvaratnam said the association was registered in October 2006.

“We send out notices about our meetings and functions to residential properties,” he said.

He added that when they attended the meetings with the council,the assciation only sent three committee members.

“However, a meeting was later held with the residents, MBPJ heads of departments and councillor Latheefa Koya.

“Eviction notices were sent out after the residents voiced their concerns and the MBPJ verified the facts.” he said.

While he empathised with the dealers, Lee said the law was such that they had been operating illegally.

“They have been given ample time to thrash out their issues with the MBPJ and find a place to relocate. Their other option is to take the MBPJ to court.

“I did suggest a site for them to relocate to, but the land owner was not interested in the deal,” he said, adding that it is not the MBPJ’s or elected representative’s responsibilities to find an alternative site for the traders.