PH MPs demand review of Selangor parking scheme
PETALING JAYA : The Pakatan Harapan parliamentarians representing the four constituencies involved in a proposed public car park privatisation scheme have urged the Selangor government to form an independent bipartisan committee to review the proposal.
In a statement, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Subang MP Wong Chen, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof and Selayang MP William Leong said the committee should comprise elected representatives from Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Shah Alam and Subang, as well as relevant experts and civil society organisations.
They also said the review should prioritise the needs of the communities they represent and the local councils involved, stressing that they were 'especially troubled' by the apparent prioritisation of private interests over the rights and welfare of their constituents and the local councils.
The lawmakers also called for the scheme's Aug 1 launch to be postponed and for its commercial terms to be disclosed, including the projected profitability for the private company involved, state government investment arm Menteri Besar Incorporated, and the four local councils.
They said that based on the limited information disclosed so far, the proposed privatisation of the Smart Intelligent Parking (SIP) system raised legal, commercial, and operational concerns. They also said the current revenue-sharing arrangement appeared 'unbalanced' and required further detailed disclosure.
'This call is made to ensure that PH's commitment to transparency and accountability is upheld in all matters of government contracts, including privatisation schemes – especially within our own PH-led state governments,' they said.
They also said the state government's approach to privatise public parking lots in pursuit of higher revenue was not in line with the primary objective and function of local councils, which is to deliver 'democratic governance' and essential services to their communities.
'In this context, the role of local councils in managing public parking is to optimise parking use for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors by making parking accessible, easing congestion, and improving traffic flow.
'Residents and businesses already pay assessments and local taxes. The councils are therefore obligated to support local commerce and community vibrancy through convenient and affordable parking.
'The goal should not be profit maximisation but service to the public.'
The parliamentarians also asked the state government and local councils to clarify whether the scheme received ministerial approval.
They said this was because public parking lots fell under the jurisdiction of the transport ministry through the Road Transport Act 1987, which empowered local councils to manage and collect parking fees with the minister's approval.
They said that the Act, and the relevant gazette orders, did not permit the privatisation of parking management or fee collection by local councils without ministerial approval.
According to state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim, the concession for a 'smart parking system' covering collections of parking fees and enforcement would involve local councils, state-owned Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd and a private company.
Ng said enforcement would be carried out by local council officers, with Rantaian Mesra to act as a system coordinator. The private company, which has yet to be appointed, will handle the four local councils' daily parking operations.
He said Rantaian Mesra and the other company are expected to invest around RM200 million to develop the infrastructure for the smart parking system.
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