Illegal carpark operator doing 'smooth' business

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/194339 (By Leven Woon, 6/4/2012)
An illegal carpark has been operating on a plot of land located between Kuala Lumpur High Court and the former government complex in Jalan Duta for about six months now, without facing any harsh action by the authorities.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, at a press conference today, claimed the illegal operator, displaying a 1Malaysia Duta Car Park signboard, has been collecting RM4 parking fees from motorists on the plot of land, designated as Lot 6176 Grant 32320, since December last year.
Lim said a check with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed that the operator, SP Tuah Sdn Bhd, was doing business without commercial, planning and signboard licences. He claimed that the “blatant illegal act” was condoned by DBKL, which only has issued three compounds, with a penalty of RM300 each, against the operator.
“If a restaurant operator puts tables and chairs on parking lots or any other vendor puts up a stall on the roadside, DBKL would swiftly come and confiscate all the furniture.
Similar signboard in Bandar Menjalara
“But how come a carpark operator who does not have any kind of legal documents can continue to operate under the bright sun?” asked Lim.
The MP became suspicious of the activity when he noticed another carpark operator displaying a similar signboard on a plot of land in Bandar Menjalara, Kepong, recently. This operator imposed RM2 parking fees on motorists who had previously enjoyed free parking in the area.
Lim then brought police officials and members of the media to the Jalan Duta illegal carpark and met SP Tuah’s director Chris Gary, whose office displays the portraits of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar.
Gary admitted that the land belongs to the Federal Territories Land and Minerals Office (PTGWP) and that he had failed to secure a permit from them in his latest bid in March. He also does not pay any rental to PTGWP. As a result, DBKL has also refused to grant him an operating licence. “But it’s good enough that PTGWP is considering my permit application.
"I am confident to get approval in two weeks’ time,” he said, adding that he will continue to collect parking fees from motorists who park their vehicles there.