KUALA LUMPUR: Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) is a beautiful neighbourhood with one major headache – a severe shortage of parking bays.
The situation has worsened over the years, and dentist Dr P. Mahendren, who has operated his clinic on Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi since 1985, has a suggestion for Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh.
“When she first campaigned to be the Member of Parliament for Segambut, she was actively involved with TTDI residents,” said Dr Mahendren.
“Many of us openly supported her. Now that she is the Minister for FT, I hope she can come ‘home’ and take care of her supporters’ parking woes.
“There is a plot of land next to Menara Ken. An open-air pickleball court was going to be built. My suggestion is for it to be turned into a multi-storey car park. That will go some way towards easing the parking congestion in the area – but please make it affordable.”
The TTDI Residents’ Association had questioned the need for a pickleball arena, as there is another one 3km away in Kampung Sungai Penchala.
It added that the project began early this year without consultation with residents. Kuala Lumpur City Hall subsequently issued a stop-work order on Jan 30. The site remained sealed as of March 12.
The association has since submitted an official objection to City Hall, citing concerns over parking shortages, noise and the impact on the surrounding residential area.
Dr Mahendren said it would be logical for the lot to be used for a multi-storey car park as the parking situation has worsened over the years, especially since Menara Ken opened nearly 10 years ago.
“Many of the staff from the offices in that building have taken up the parking bays as it is too expensive to park inside the building,” said Dr Mahendren.
“Some arrive as early as 7.30am, go to the gym, have their bath and then go to the office. Meanwhile, residents and business owners have no place to park.
“My clinic has been here since 1985, and some of my patients are in their 70s and 80s. On one occasion, one of them parked several kilometres away and walked to my clinic.”
Adding to the parking woes is the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers along Lorong Rahim Kajai 13 and Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, which has taken up several existing bays.
“The shortage of parking spaces in TTDI is a long-standing problem. Now, several bays have been allocated for EV charging ports,” said Dr Mahendren.
“A multi-storey car park could provide a more practical solution for residents and visitors to the area.
“As such, I hope our MP, who is also the FT Minister, takes note of our predicament.”
Dr Mahendren says Taman Tun Dr Ismail desperately needs a multi-storey car park.
Separately, Dr Mahendren said he hopes Kuala Lumpur City Hall will address the rubbish problem in the back lanes.
“Many of the emergency exits at the back are blocked by rubbish and this attracts rodents,” he said.
The dirty back alley at Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi.
“I have made many complaints, but to no avail. No one seems to be willing to listen to our woes.”
