By Aida Aziz
IPOH: No compromise will be made on compounds if visitors to Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) park their vehicles in a manner that obstructs traffic in both directions along Jalan Raja Ashman Shah here.
State Health, Human Resources, National Integration and Indian Community Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said that many concessions have already been given to HRPB visitors and guests, considering that previously no vehicles were allowed to park along that road.
However, he said, in view of the worsening parking problem there, after 2018 he took the initiative to discuss with the Perak Police Chief at the time to allow the public to park on the road shoulder, subject to conditions.
“I asked for PDRM’s cooperation at that time to allow visitors to park by the roadside but with conditions.
“That is, no double parking, do not park in front of the bus stop, do not park near the hospital entrance and exit as it blocks ambulances, and do not park near the roundabout.
“When checked, those who typically get summoned or compounded are those who commit one of these offences.
“So I cannot compromise, I cannot ask PDRM not to issue summonses because they have indeed violated the conditions. Actually, initially parking was not allowed at all, but it was permitted, so they must be careful,” he said when responding to a supplementary question from Bercham assemblyman Ong Boon Piow at the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Wednesday.
Boon Piow, in his supplementary question, said that many HRPB visitors are still being compounded when parking along Jalan Raja Ashman, causing confusion among the public as to where the permitted parking limits are.
He also said this matter appears to burden the less fortunate.
He also suggested that more announcements be made regarding the parking facilities and shuttle van service provided at Velodrom Rakyat.
Meanwhile, Tronoh assemblyman Steven Tiw Tee Siang, in a supplementary question, also proposed that markings be made indicating whether a location is permitted for parking or otherwise for public awareness.
Sivanesan, when responding to the question, said that every road user knows traffic rules, but unfortunately many still disregard the established laws.
“I think every citizen knows traffic regulations, for example parking in front of traffic lights, parking in front of hospital entrances and exits, parking at roundabouts — all these violate the law. So, what more is there to teach them?
“We have been giving reminders about this parking issue for a long time, and not everyone who parks there gets summoned or compounded, most have no issues. However, there are a handful of individuals who know they are violating the conditions, so we cannot compromise,” he said.
