Thoughtless MPSJ

To the world,

Area : Puchong

Location : Bandar Puteri

Date : 27th July 2010

Fiasco Time : About 1135~1150

Duration : 1135 ~ 1300

Good day.

Last week, for the first time, I lost my car. I had parked my car beside a shop, at a place designated as motorcycle parking as the surrounding area were full and the only legal empty spot was beside a vehicle whose owners were fixing aircons. I was not the only car parked along that stretch.

After settling what I had to do, between 5-10 minutes, 15mins tops, I headed towards where I parked my car. It was just a minute's walk. So imagine my horror when I did not see my car there. I was just stunned.

Stolen! That was the first thought that crossed my mind! For a very long while, I stood around, looking about aimlessly. I even tried to think if I had parked somewhere else. Slowly, I noticed that the cars that were parked alongside my car were all gone, too. The 2 cars that were there then had just parked there.

I made my way to the shop and the manager took the trouble to explain to me that while I was gone, the tow truckers came along. In just about 2-3 minutes they towed away my car as I wasn't there to remove my car, immediately. Incidentally, another towed car passed his shop at that moment.

In my shock, I wasn't sure if I had thanked him or not. He even took the trouble to explain to me where they took my car to. To that manager of the that shop, thank you so much. A simple explanation such of that really managed to bring a little calm to my shocked soul, knowing that my car was not stolen.

My friend came all the way from work to rescue and help me get out of this unnecessary mess. And it wasn't that near to get here, took her about 30 minutes, while I waited for her along the main road, standing between 2 banks which occupies the corners of 2 rows of shophouses, making that short stretch in between hectic with passing cars.

What I want to point out are :

1. Why was my car towed away? I admit that I parked my car at the wrong place, but I think that a summon is suffice. I was not blocking the traffic flow nor the road. While I was waiting for my friend to arrive, I observed that cars that were parking illegally for a longer period than I did were not even looked at! Was it because they were at a busy stretch and towing it away would only cause a little more congestion?

2. Why was I charged the tow fee and the 'simpanan fee'? I did not ask my car to be towed to or 'stored' in the MPSJ premise.

3. Why was there not information at all on what happened to my car? If the shop manager did not inform me of what happened, I would just be standing, not knowing what happened. It is not a towing-zone, or at least I did not see any sign put up along that stretch to indicate such.

4. How can the MPSJ allow the tow-truckers to make the decision on which car to tow? How did they make that decision? Are they MPSJ officers? I guessed, perhaps they were paid on the number of cars they were able to tow. This is because cars that were parked in non-parking bay along the road on the short, busy stretch were not even given a look at. They just zoomed by (like maniacs). Once, I even saw one of them honking at a car in front, when it slowed down and stopped to let the driver reverse his car out from his parking spot. He didn't even bother to wait and just swerved to the opposite lane and sped away. Cars that were double-parked were also let go. My car was at stretch where the traffic is usually clear and smooth. And yet it was towed away.

5. Nothing was said or explain about the nature of my mistake by the attending officer. When I went to recover my car, all the officer did was to give me a form to sign, sort of a like a declaration that I agreed that I was wrong, asked for my IC and told me that I had already been given a discount, when I saw the amount. I didn't argue with her at that moment as I was a little shock and I need my car.

6. I parked in a parking for motorcyles and my car was deemed parked illegally and towed away. What about those motorcyclist who parked their vehicles in parking bays meant for cars? Is that done deemed illegal? Just a thought that crossed my mind.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the manager and especially my friend, for their help.

I just felt that this towing operation was not well carried out. It made me feel that MPSJ just wanted 'fast and easy money' and the unfortunate rakyat became its cash cow. I was the unlucky few who was milked for the ringgits they need to fill up they coffers. The summon only encompassed approximately 30% of the total sum I paid to recover my car. The balance 70% went under the tow and 'simpanan' charges. I don't think that I should be charged the towing and 'simpanan' charges. And not to mention, the emotional stress on the victim. I guess they knew that we need our cars and most of us would pay up to get them back.

Can somebody help me? I want to send this out to the appropriate people, people who has the power to do something about this. I really feel strongly that this operation could be carried out in a better, more thoughtful manner.

Thank you.

Regards,

Cash Cow, Forced