DBKL Is No Longer Allowed To Clamp Your Car From November Onwards

Main image via The Star

The mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, has ordered for all clamping operations in Kuala Lumpur to be suspended indefinitely starting next month.

Image via Malay Mail

The directive came after a meeting was held on the matter between DBKL executive director (planning) Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah and senior officers from the legal and finance departments and the parking operator.

This isn’t the first time DBKL has decided to suspend clamping operations. Right after the general elections in May this year, DBKL suspended clamping after receiving requests from the Kuala Lumpur MPs. However, at that time, the suspension was lifted in non-hotspot areas in the city.

Image via Free Malaysia Today

“This time, however, there is no turning back as the directive is from the mayor himself,” said a DBKL source, according to The Star.

The source said that the mayor made the decision after witnessing an altercation between a motorist and DBKL officers in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, recently. The motorist reportedly berated a DBKL officer non-stop because his car was clamped. The mayor, who witnessed the incident, was embarrassed by it.

via GIPHY

“The mayor said he felt he was the one being scolded by the resident, and the incident made DBKL look bad, so he decided to suspend clamping.”

When The Star contacted Mahadi, he neither denied nor confirmed the news. He only said that there was talk about it and that it’s not confirmed yet.

Just so you know, DBKL clamps an average of 915 vehicles a day and issues approximately 3,600 compound notices a day.

Image via The Star

Currently, DBKL’s parking contract has been outsourced to Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP), who then privatised the enforcement of parking rules and wheel clamping to contractor Vista Summerose.

When StarMetro contacted Vista Summerose’s managing director, Datuk Nik Haidi Nik Mohamad, he confirmed that he had been notified of the mayor’s decision to suspend clamping.

“Unfortunately, it is true and we are disappointed because we have a contract that clearly spells out that DBKL authorised us to clamp illegally parked vehicles,’’ he said.

“It is going to cost DBKL a lot (in compensation). I estimate it to be not less than RM80 million as we were given the authorisation to manage parking and clamping. We have invested a lot of money on the logistics alone,’’ Nik Haidi said.

Nik Haidi predicted that traffic offences will increase in November once clamping is suspended.

via GIPHY

“Clamping was the most effective enforcement method in easing congestion in Kuala Lumpur and we have proven it countless times in the past,’’ he said.

Do you think drivers can be relied on to park their cars responsibly or do you think people will selfishly park wherever they wanted once clamping operations cease?