KUALA LUMPUR: A neighbourhood parking dispute in Taman Sri Bahagia, Kajang, escalated to the municipal council, resulting in fines being issued to all residents along the street.
According to a report by China Press, the incident began when the Kajang Municipal Council responded to complaints from residents about individuals monopolising parking spaces in front of their homes.
Enforcement officers issued warnings and fined all those who had parked their vehicles along the roadside.
Kajang Municipal Councillor Tan Kah Hoe explained that the conflict originated from a disagreement between three neighbouring households.
"The resident in the middle unit complained with the council about neighbours placing roadblocks in front of their homes to reserve parking spaces," he said.
After receiving the complaint, enforcement officers issued warnings, which angered other residents. They then filed another complaint, accusing others of parking in front of their homes.
Two weeks later, enforcement officers returned and fined all residents along the street, resulting in a total of RM7,500 in penalties.
During Tan's meeting with the residents yesterday to understand the situation, he stated that one resident believed the space in front of the houses was public property and should not be blocked with road barriers.
However, the other neighbours disagreed and questioned why others were allowed to park in front of their homes.
"There are other places to park in the area. The issue isn't a lack of parking spaces but an unwillingness to compromise with one another. The residents argued for over an hour," Tan said.
He also mentioned that residents who received fines could provide proof of residence, such as utility bills, to request the fines be cancelled.
Tan urged residents to practise tolerance and mutual understanding, emphasising that disputes bring no benefit to the neighbourhood.