SUBANG Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)  will literally put the clamps on illegal parking on Monday, beginning with SS15, SS16, USJ10 and USJ9.

Illegal parking, which sometimes causes traffic obstructions leading to traffic jams, is rife in these densely-populated housing and commercial areas, spawning many public complaints.

MPSJ enforcement director Ahmad Hassan said the council was the only one in Selangor that had received the state's permission to clamp vehicles, though that may soon change as other councils are in the process of applying for permission.

Armed with its newly-granted rights and 12 tyre clamps, the council is set to tackle the problem in these four areas, where over 80,000 vehicles were compounded for traffic offences last year. Over 30,000 vehicles have already been compounded in the first five months of this year.

Those whose vehicles have been clamped would have to pay a RM50 clamping charge and RM10 service charge, and a compound fine of between RM20 and RM80, depending on the offence.

"If the owner does not appear in four  hours, the vehicle will be towed. This will cost the owner another RM80. The impound charges are RM10 daily," he said.

"The owner has to pay the fine at council headquarters and produce the receipt to have the vehicle unclamped. The same applies for owners of cars that have been summon locked," he said.

The council will extend the clamping exercise, if successful, to other areas.

Ahmad, who was  speaking at a press conference held after the council's recent full board meeting, said the council's 4,000 summon locks would now mainly be used in low-density areas such as housing schemes.

Council president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi said MPSJ hoped to acquire two tow trucks in the next three months to reduce dependency on hired trucks.

Nearly 2,200 vehicles were towed last year, and 824 vehicles towed in the first five months of this year in the four hotspots mentioned.

MPSJ currently hires six tow trucks, and pays RM80 for each car towed.

Banners to inform the public of the clamping exercise will be put up in the four areas, according to the council public relations division. Brochures for the same purpose will be printed and distributed soon, too.