Business owners in Kepong’s Laman Rimbunan area push back against new EV charging stations in the bustling commercial belt. They claim the two units, which are not yet in operation, will gobble up four much‑needed parking bays along Jalan Rimbunan Raya 1, intensifying gridlock in the district.
Lee Kok Kin, a 50-year-old stall operator selling accessories, warned that the charging units will aggravate congestion. “Parking bays in the heart of the commercial zone fill up quickly,” he observed. “Once these stations are up and running, they’ll occupy valuable spaces right in the middle of the block, forcing more drivers to circle the area looking for parking.”
Personal driver Lee Fook Sang, aged 65, voiced safety concerns about an elevated curb designed to accommodate the stations. “The curb is higher than the surrounding ground level, and drivers may not notice it and could end up reversing into it,” he cautioned.
Local business advocates are calling for the EV facilities to be moved toward the ends of the block. Kepong activist Yee Poh Ping said residents have complained about the stations, and he urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to relocate them to the corner of the commercial block. “Typically, the parking bays at the far end of a building are the last to be claimed, so placing the stations there would be ideal,” he argued, noting he plans to submit a formal proposal to City Hall.
Yee also pointed to the poor condition of the back lanes behind Jalan Rimbunan Raya 1’s shop lots. He described a stretch frequently used by delivery vans that is riddled with potholes and poses a safety hazard for motorcyclists during heavy rain. He urged DBKL to resurface these lanes and address illegal cooking activity in the area.
