LETTER: The Road Safety Expert Association (RSEA) welcomes the Cabinet’s decision to amend the Abandoned Vehicles Management Guidelines to speed up disposal.
It is a sensible step. But speed alone is not enough. The delays so far stem from weaknesses in the system, not just in procedure.
RSEA, therefore, puts forward five proposals:
- One lead agency: Designate a primary agency, define the jurisdiction of each body (Transport Ministry, Ministry of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, Road Transport Department, local authorities, Royal Malaysian Police) and set clear action timelines, so no agency is left waiting on another.
-
Protect owners’ rights: A vehicle that looks abandoned has not necessarily been given up by its owner.
Verification through the RTD database, official notification, a reasonable response period and an appeals channel must be in place before disposal.
- A risk-based approach: Vehicles blocking emergency routes or endangering traffic should be dealt with immediately, while low-risk cases can go through the full verification and notification process.
-
Give owners options: Retain, Repair, Relocate, Trade-in, Recycle. Owners should not simply be ordered around.
Restoration programmes, trade-in schemes, voluntary disposal and the return of residual value can benefit the public while reducing the number of abandoned vehicles, and;
- An integrated, transparent digital system: A single national platform for tracking, notification, complaints, appeals and environmentally responsible disposal records (engine oil, batteries, refrigerants, tyres) will cut bureaucracy and leakage.
As a starting point for consultation, RSEA proposes standard timelines: inspection within three working days, ownership check within seven working days, owner notification within seven days and a 30-day owner response period.
These are policy proposals, not existing legal timeframes. Success should be measured by outcomes, not by the number of vehicles towed.
Key indicators include average case resolution time, percentage of owners successfully contacted, vehicles reclaimed or restored, fewer public complaints, and reduced safety and pollution risks.
Ownership rights come with responsibilities. A vehicle no longer in use should not endanger the safety and comfort of the public.
Don’t just speed up disposal. Speed up solutions, protect owners and reduce risk to the community.
JAMIL MANAN SUPRI
Founder, Road Safety and MotorSports Adviser
Road Safety Expert Association