Smart parking system adoption by Johor councils records positive results
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Jafni Shukor said preliminary feedback from the councils showed that the digital shift has also given local authorities better monitoring over parking payments while easing the workload on enforcement teams.
"Based on initial feedback, parking payment compliance has improved significantly. With real-time tracking, the council's respective enforcement teams - whose resources are often stretched thin — can now act faster and more efficiently," he told the New Straits Times.
He said while several districts are still in the probation phase of using the digital parking system, the overall response has been positive, with measurable gains reported since the rollout began in stages last year.
To date, the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu), Mersing District Council (MDM) and Tangkak District Council (MDT), Pontian District Council (MPPn) and Mersing District Council (MDMG) have digitalised their parking systems through the Parkmax@Johor platform, a mobile application that allows users to pay, reload, extend time, and settle compounds without physical coupons.
The digital parking system also features a
video-surveillance system, enhanced with AI capabilities to boost the efficiency of parking operations.
The system, operated by Southmax Sdn Bhd, also provides councils with a steady revenue stream, under a 70:30 revenue-sharing model.
Southmax Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of ITMAX System Bhd, a leading integrated digital infrastructure service provider.
MBIP began fully digitalising its parking system from Jan this year; MDM from May 1 this year, while MDT and MPKu began in Sept and Aug last year, respectively.
Jafni said all 16 local authorities in Johor, including two city councils, eight municipal councils and six district councils, are expected to eventually transition fully to a digital parking system.
"The delays are mainly due to ongoing contracts with existing operators, while some councils are still testing the system," he said.
The Johor government is systematically implementing its SmartCity integration agenda by adopting technology-driven solutions to improve urban living, governance, and sustainability.
Other components of Johor's SmartCity framework include smart LED streetlights, digital licensing, integrated traffic systems, real-time flood monitoring, and broadband infrastructure, particularly across Iskandar Malaysia.
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