| James Kon |
TWENTY-ONE abandoned cars were yesterday discovered during a joint operation codenamed ‘Terjah 66/2017’ led by the Law Enforcement Unit of the BSB Municipal Department.
Of the 21 vehicles, five were towed away by Syarikat M Han Enterprise to a scrapyard after permission was obtained by the Land Transport Department through Section 84 of Chapter 68 under the Road Traffic Act.
Three vehicles will be removed today, while another five are expected to be moved by their owners within the week.
Eight more vehicles were moved by their owners yesterday morning.
Personnel from the Land Transport Department, Public Health Services under the Ministry of Health, and a scrap metal company were also involved in yesterday’s operation which targetted the surrounding areas of a commercial building in Bunut.
During the operation, BSB Municipal Department enforcement personnel also issued compound fines under Chapter 30, Section 12 (1) of the Minor Offences Act to two workshops for disposing rubbish in public areas.
Under this act, the storing or disposal of any item in public places is prohibited and considered an offence. Any party – be it a company or individual – issued with a fine must settle it within seven days.
In failing to do so, the case will be referred to the courts. If found guilty, a $1,000 fine or one month imprisonment will be imposed (first offence), while subsequent offences carry a punishment of a $3,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding three months.
The Law Enforcement Unit urged all companies to maintain the cleanliness of their premises and to comply with the various regulations under the Minor Offences Act. The unit also notified owners of abandoned cars found in public areas that their cars will be removed under Section 84, Chapter 68 of the Road Traffic Act.
Similar inspections and operations in areas under the BSB Municipal Department’s jurisdiction will continue to be conducted by the unit in the future.