The Star: MPSJ wants to put an end to illegal car wash centres

By THO XIN YI

DUE to the high demand from urban residents, car wash centres are a common sight in the Klang Valley.

However, some of these centres operate without a licence from the respective local councils.

These unlicensed outlets are mostly located at back alleys or on road sides at commercial and light industrial areas, providing car wash at low prices.

Since January, the enforcement department of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has cracked down on the operators who failed to adhere to the car wash centre guidelines. Location counts: Legal car wash centres are only allowed at a few selected spots.

A total of 64 outlets have been raided — 12 in Subang Jaya, 15 in Puchong and 37 in Serdang — while 423 compound notices were issued under Section 46 (1) (d) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 for obstruction in a public place.

The compound notices carried a maximum fine of RM500.

According to the guidelines, a car wash centre is only allowed at petrol stations, car service centres at industrial areas, private land of at least 4,000 sq ft, government land or commercial and industrial lots (corner lots are encouraged).

To ensure cleanliness, filter traps must be installed at the drains to filter the waste water while the car shampoo used should be biodegradable to avoid polluting the environment.

A car wash assistant should also be equipped with gloves and waterproof boots.

Among the requirements for the interior of a car wash outlet include non-slip quarry tiles for the flooring and tiled walls.

Enforcement director Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali said the illegal car wash centres had to be weeded out because of hygiene and obstruction problems.

The excessive amount of water discharged may damage the roads as well.

Nonetheless, some operators would rather risk conducting their businesses illegally as the rental of land or a commercial lot might be too expensive to bear.

“They do not need a huge capital to start the business, just enough money to buy a vacuum cleaner and a water jet will do.

“Then, they normally cut a deal with nearby premises to get water and electricity for a fee, and they are all set to serve their customers,” Zulkurnain said.

While the department tried to put a stop to this illegal practice, it has attracted unwanted interference from certain political parties.

“They rapped us for making the operators’ lives difficult,” Zulkurnain said.

Nonetheless, he advised these operators to scout for suitable land and then apply for a temporary occupation licence to conduct their businesses legally.