Ministry considering ‘vehicle cemetery’ idea
With about 8 million abandoned vehicles nationwide, the government is reviewing the law to empower authorities to dispose of such vehicles.
PETALING JAYA: Vehicles abandoned by irresponsible owners which cause a nuisance to others may end up in a “vehicle cemetery”.
“The transport ministry is reviewing the law to empower the authorities to dispose of abandoned vehicles,” the New Straits Times quoted Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as saying.
According to the minister, there are about eight million abandoned vehicles nationwide and it has created a lot of displeasure among residents as well as owners of business premises where such cars are found.
On Sept 6, the cabinet had directed the natural resources and environment ministry and the transport ministry to propose sound solutions in resolving the burgeoning issue of abandoned vehicles being dumped nationwide, which had become a problem for local authorities.
Wan Junaidi said the proposal was still at the initial stage, with officers from both ministries meeting to discuss amendments to allow the de-registration and confiscation of abandoned vehicles for disposal.
He said both ministries would need to iron out the main areas of enforcement, such as “the deadline for owners to salvage their vehicles”, “who would be empowered to tow the vehicles away” and “the locations for gazetted vehicle cemeteries”.
Wan Junaidi said his ministry would review the Environmental Act 1974 to include a provision that would allow enforcers to dispose of the abandoned vehicles without causing harm to the environment.
He added that the transport ministry, on the other hand, would look at amending the Road Transport Act 1987 to allow for such vehicles to be de-registered.
“There is a need for this policy to be introduced immediately as the number of abandoned vehicles keeps increasing,” he said.
He said there could be more than the eight million abandoned vehicles as many go unreported.
He added that these vehicles pose a health hazard as they become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, snakes, leeches and other pests.
“The department of environment director-general has been told to identify suitable plots of land nationwide to be used as ‘vehicle cemeteries’,” he said.
Wan Junaidi was also asked if it was possible for owners who didn’t want their vehicles anymore to send them to the “vehicle cemeteries” themselves by paying a fee.
He said the matter was being discussed, but added that it might be possible after the owners signed off a “discharge form” for their vehicle.
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He said a task force would be formed to coordinate and ensure that the vehicles are disposed of in full compliance with provisions under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974.