KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 28): The federal government is moving to strengthen enforcement powers under the Road Transport Act 1987 to address the growing issue of abandoned vehicles in strata residential developments.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Aiman Athirah Sabu said amendments are being proposed to widen the jurisdiction of local authorities, allowing them to act more effectively within privately managed strata schemes.
Currently, local councils do not have automatic authority to remove abandoned vehicles in private strata properties unless there is formal application or cooperation from the Joint Management Body (JMB) or Management Corporation (MC). This limitation has led to delays in resolving vehicle-related complaints, particularly in high-density urban developments.
According to Aiman Athirah, the proposed changes will broaden enforcement coverage to include all categories of local authorities and enlarge the scope of areas under their jurisdiction.
The review process is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Royal Malaysian Police, the Department of Environment, state governments, and local councils.
She clarified that JMBs and MCs remain governed by the Strata Management Act 2013 and the Strata Management (Management and Maintenance) Regulations 2015. These bodies retain full legal responsibility over common property areas, including parking bays and internal access roads within strata schemes.
The issue was raised in Parliament by Azli Yusof (PH–Shah Alam), who sought clarification on measures to empower local authorities to address abandoned vehicles in strata residential zones.
Beyond legislative amendments, the ministry is exploring additional tools under Section 65 of Act 333 to streamline vehicle disposal procedures. Previously, such disposals required court approval, often resulting in prolonged administrative processes.
A voluntary vehicle disposal mechanism has also been introduced through JPJ’s e-Dereg system, launched in March 2025. The platform enables vehicle owners to deregister and dispose of old vehicles more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of abandonment in residential and commercial areas.
For property owners and investors in commercial property in KL and high-density strata projects across the Klang Valley, the proposed reforms are particularly relevant. Urban centres such as Bukit Jalil, Puchong, Subang, and Shah Alam feature a mix of residential towers, office space in Bukit Jalil, integrated developments, and industrial-commercial hybrids.
Poorly managed common areas — including abandoned vehicles — can negatively impact property value, tenant perception, and overall asset positioning. This is especially significant in:
Office space in Bukit Jalil within mixed-use developments
Industrial property in Subang area with strata-titled factories
Factory in Puchong developments under strata schemes
Industrial land in Selangor earmarked for subdivided SME industrial parks
Clearer enforcement authority may enhance property management standards and protect asset values in strata-titled commercial and industrial projects, which are increasingly common in Selangor’s growth corridors.
As Kuala Lumpur and Selangor continue urban densification — particularly in transit-oriented and industrial zones — stronger coordination between local authorities and strata managers will be essential to maintaining the long-term sustainability of both residential and commercial environments.
Indonesia