Letter To The Editor - Tiara Parking

Dear Editor,

I write with reference to your article, “Parking in Tiara Damansara.”

One of the remarks was "what is a 'home' if friends & family find it difficult to visit because of lack of parking?" I agree, but only to an extent. Because a more apt question to ask is, "What would be home if a resident (who has more than 1 car) does not have sufficient parking, in a place where he/she is actually living in?" As was mentioned in your letter, most households have at least 2 cars if not more, these days.

Therefore, I still maintain that the first consideration in the allocation of rented parking lots should be for residents, especially owner-residents. We have put our roots here whilst tenants shift in and out all the time. And then, it has happened they will pass their rented lot to their friend who takes over their place.

At the same time, special consideration should also be given to senior members in this category. This is nothing extraordinary. There are special seats reserved for the country's senior citizens in airports, LRT not to mention special fares for internal traveling for its senior citizens as well. Realizing the need for some concessions, the government is paying more attention to provide for this group of its citizens in other ways. Giving senior Tiarans who require a rented car park lot some priority in a place which they call home,is therefore, not that much to ask for,is it?

And talking about the developer's original allocation of 40 covered lots for visitors, may I point out that, that was really a myth. In reality, all the parking lots were more or less monopolized by residents especially those with more than one car. They interchanged their cars into the lots they occupied almost all of the time. And visitors were left without parking too. Even residents who drive their vehicle out, run the risk of not having a place to park in upon their return. Parking was free for all on a first come, first served basis. Perhaps there are council members who have lived here long enough to attest to that.

Now visitors are better off because there are lots reserved for this purpose. They should not complain.

Having lived here for more than a decade, I have experienced the entire evolution of car park lots. When the system of rented lots was first introduced, we had to queue up outside the management office as early as 5.30 in the morning and wait for hours so that we could secure a rented car park lot when their doors opened at 9 o' clock. It was plenty of hardship especially for us old fellows. Allowing some priority in the continuity of this benefit, therefore, would not be asking too much.

We need it because we are retired and we don't work anymore. We cannot park on the roadside in the daytime lest we run foul of authorities such as MBPJ or the police for that matter. We old folks are more frail and we need a parking lot which is inside the premises in case of inclement weather or any other misfortune, especially when we are sick.

Now, new residents, be they tenants or owners just put their names on the waiting list and they get a rented lot after a while. They are lucky.

In general, it is laudable of management to have efficiently handled the parking situation hitherto.

As for options to expand parking facilities, the best bet in my opinion, after reading all your comments, is still converting that so called green lung into a car park. I have mentioned this before in an email. I understand the sentiments of those living in units fronting that land but I suppose a decision has to be made on whether one may have to sacrifice loving nature or aesthetics for the sake of practicality.

Whatever it is I trust that Tiarans' feedback will be sought before any moves are made in issues which will affect the welfare of its "citizens". In other words, no unilateral action should be taken by management.

Old Timer