MBPP Pioneers Strata Scheme For Abandoned Vehicles

Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke officially launching the 'Strata Scheme for Abandoned Vehicles' by the Penang city council (MBPP) last weekend.

Recently, the Penang city council - Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) – became the first in Malaysia to pioneer the ‘Strata Scheme for Abandoned Vehicles.’

Reportedly launched last weekend at the Flat Turnkey Sri Pinang in the presence of Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke, the aptly-named scheme targets the problems – and subsequent disruptions – caused by abandoned vehicles in strata housing areas.

The scheme sees MBPP working closely with the private sector to rid abandoned vehicles in strata housing areas whilst also using the MOT's e-Dereg system.

The council is pioneering this together with the private sector which, critically, also involves the use of the e-Dereg system from the Ministry of Transport (MOT). If proven effective, we could see this scheme being practiced by other councils nationwide to combat the widespread - and just plain unsightly - issue of abandoned vehicles.

We’ll also point out that the private sector entity MBPP partnered with specifically is Car Medic - an automotive treatment company licensed by the Department of Environment, to ensure orderly and environmentally friendly disposal of the vehicles.

Before you ask, this is the same firm national automaker Proton partnered with for its recent cash-for-clunkers initiative launched earlier this year.

Key issues the scheme aims to tacke includes abandoned vehicles taking up precious parking space and causing tension amongst residents, becoming breeding ground for pests, and their potential use in crime.

Specifically, Loke stressed that the scheme addresses key issues caused by abandoned vehicles. It includes said vehicle occupying precious parking space (that can cause tension among residents), breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes and rats, not to mention their potential use in crime.

“Local authorities have faced constraints in disposing of these vehicles due to being bound by legal procedures, cost and time. Therefore, the state government’s community-level initiative, through MBPP, could be the best solution to overcome the problem of abandoned vehicle build-up in these high-density residential areas,” adds Loke.

If proven successful by MBPP, Loke and his ministry hopes other councils nationwide adopts the same.

As a refresher, Loke and his ministry launched the e-Dereg (electronic deregistration) system with the aim of simplifying legal vehicle disposal through allowing owners to cancel their registration online in less than five minutes. In turn, this eliminates the need to queue at JPJ branches and counters.

Overall, the scheme noted sees vehicle owners not incurred any costs, and they can even receive payment based on the vehicle’s value. Additionally, this also promises to reduce operational burden on local authorities to tow, store and eventually dispose of these abandoned vehicles.