6 days ago
SIP rollout in three local councils stirs confusion
THE much-anticipated implementation of the Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) system across three local councils has seen a slow start.
Following its rollout on Aug 1 in Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), residents and traders say they are still concerned over potential increase in future parking fee besides a lack of clear communication about the system's changes
During a visit to the Jalan SJ3 commercial area in Selayang Jaya, StarMetro found that a number of traders and visitors were unsure about the new arrangement.
Food truck trader Oscar Leong, 29, who works daily in the area, said enforcement appeared unchanged.
'I am here every day from 11am to 8pm. The officers still come by, but nothing seems to have changed,' he said, adding that it was the first he had heard of the new system.
Taxi driver Anthony Kumaran, 52, was surprised to learn of the shift.
'I didn't know there was a change, but I heard fees might go up.
'If things stay the same for us road users, I have no complaints,' he said.
Another trader, who wished to be known only as Lau, observed a dip in enforcement in this first week of August.
'I have read in the news about the new system, but I haven't seen any officers since Aug 1.
'I am worried about changes in fees and payment procedures.
'I don't use a smartphone, so I walk to KK Mart to pay for parking.
'What if I get fined while walking there? This has happened to me several times,' he said.
MPS Zone 14 councillor Sulaiman Abu Samah said the privatisation process was still being aligned.
'Staffing hasn't been finalised, and revenue sharing is not yet concluded,' he explained.
'For now, residents are happy because there are no fines, but many don't know about this issue unless they follow the news,' he said.
Sulaiman is of the view that MPS may lose out on revenue under the new parking system.
The privatisation of street parking in Selangor, which surfaced last month, faced objections from residents and elected representatives due to transparency concerns and potential revenue loss for local councils.
Four local councils were selected to implement the project first.
However, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced last month that only three of the councils would proceed with SIP system from Aug 1, as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) postponed implementation pending further discussions.
The system is operated by Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), under a 10-year concession with local councils and a private partner.
Revenue is split 50% to the concessionaire, 40% to the local council and 10% to MBI.
Enforcement will be carried out by the concessionaire in cooperation with the council.
Subang Jaya Zone 1 councillor Balachandran Naicker said he had yet to receive official confirmation on the system's implementation from MBSJ.
'I am waiting for formal documentation before informing residents,' he said.
Balachandran, overseeing SS12 to SS19 and Taman Wangsa Baiduri, confirmed parking fees would remain unchanged for now.
MBSJ Zone 16 councillor Lee Jen Uyin and Zone 4 councillor Kamarul Hisham Yeop Hashim said they had not received reports from the public regarding increased enforcement.
On July 31, Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim expressed confidence in SIP, saying he was waiting for the finalisation of contract details before full implementation.
Amirul had also said that MBSJ would expect at least RM92mil in revenue over 10 years under the model.
In Shah Alam, MBSA Zone 20 councillor Fatin Ab Rahim had said that enforcement remained under the city council's purview but was monitored by MBI.
'So far, there have been no complaints from residents,' she said, adding that parking management would improve with the new system.
