Latest news with #IntelligentParking
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Petaling Jaya council backs state parking privatisation amid revenue concerns
PETALING JAYA: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has given its conditional backing to the Selangor government's decision to privatise on-street parking across the state. The council's primary concern centres on maintaining, if not increasing, its current parking fee revenue. Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon confirmed the council's stance, emphasising that any deal must guarantee the city receives at least the same level of income from parking fees as it does now. "We also still need to fine-tune many aspects of enforcement, including the duration and basis of enforcement officers' involvement, to ensure a smooth privatisation process," he told reporters today after the closing ceremony of the PJ International Outdoor Expo 2025 at the Kelana Jaya Sports Complex on Sunday (July 27). Zahri underscored the importance of ensuring the city council's revenue from parking fee collection remains stable, if not improved. He added that the privatisation "should not disrupt the parking situation in Petaling Jaya". The move follows an announcement on July 9 by state local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, who revealed that a newly appointed concession company would take over parking fee collection and enforcement in four Selangor local councils from Aug 1. This initiative falls under Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP) programme. Ng stated that the company was appointed by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) (MBI) for the first phase, which includes MBPJ, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). Zahri noted that MBPJ had "on multiple occasions requested for MBI Selangor to present an agreeable proposal." He said that "there are parts that we agree with, and there are some that require further details," indicating ongoing discussions with MBI. On July 15, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shahri clarified that the operator for SIP was appointed by MBI through an open tender, which saw 26 interested companies submit requests for proposals. Amirudin also explained that enforcement would remain the responsibility of the respective local authorities. The SIP initiative has, however, drawn criticism from several state MPs who have voiced concerns. They warn that the privatisation deal could lead to a shortfall of up to RM10mil for MBPJ and potentially infringe upon the statutory rights of local councils to manage parking under the Road Transport Act 1987.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Shah Alam backs state parking privatisation plan
MBSA ready to implement Selangor's privatisation of on-street parking. — Filepic SHAH ALAM City Council (MBSA) is ready to implement Selangor's on-street parking privatisation exercise if it proceeds on Aug 1 as scheduled. Shah Alam mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the city council would accept and support the decision made by the state government. 'It was decided by Selangor government and we will execute what is needed,' he said at MBSA's monthly full board meeting. Mohd Fauzi disclosed that MBSA collected RM21.9mil in parking fees and RM8.9mil from compound fines last year. 'Between January and June this year, MBSA collected RM10mil in parking fees, and compound fines of RM3.6mil.' Under Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP) initiative, it was proposed that four local councils be involved in the first phase of the on-street parking privatisation scheme – MBSA, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). However, on Wednesday, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said MBPJ had objected to the proposal. Separately, Mohd Fauzi said MBSA would conduct inventory of neglected drainage in the city that did not fall under the jurisdiction of any authority. He said city council engineers would start to map these secondary ditches, drains and water channels to be listed under its control. 'It is a huge task as it involves mapping and documenting the condition, size, location, area topography and soil type,' said Mohd Fauzi. He added that the inventory would be used to plan maintenance, upgrades and future improvement of the drainage infrastructure. Mohd Fauzi said the state government, in a meeting held in June, highlighted the importance of managing and maintaining drainage networks that did not fall under any authority. 'Selangor decided that all main drainage networks not under any authority's jurisdiction, and connected to rivers will be managed by Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).' Secondary ditches, drains, pipes and culverts connecting to main drains would be maintained by the local councils, he said. 'All ditches in agricultural areas will be maintained by DID while Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) will maintain all water channels within JKR land reserve except for main drains connecting to rivers,' elaborated. MBSA, said Mohd Fauzi, would maintain all secondary ditches and drains in the city to address cleanliness, blockage due to wild vegetation and to resolve flooding issues. 'In two months, we should have the inventory,' he said. He added that MBSA would develop a plan for maintaining and upgrading the drainage network based on the inventory, listed as priority for improvement with budget allocation.
The Star
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MCA Youth calls for suspension of Selangor parking concessionaire plans
MCA Youth is urging the suspension of plans for the state government's controversial decision to appoint a new parking concessionaire, pending greater transparency on the details. "Announce all the terms and conditions first," said Petaling Jaya MCA Youth Chief Andy Teoh. Teoh, along with several MCA Youth leaders, addressed the parking concessionaire issue outside the Menara Petaling Jaya City Council today (July 19), highlighting its impact on four local councils in Selangor: Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). Teoh pointed out that the initial announcement for the new privatisation by the state was set for August 1, as declared by State Local Government and Tourism Committee Chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim on July 9. However, last week (July 15), Ng stated that the matter was not finalised. Teoh believes this is an opportunity for the state to disclose more information about the concessionaire. He expressed concern that the terms might not necessarily result in cost savings for the state. The state announced that the concessionaire would invest RM200mil in infrastructure for Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP), including approximately 1,800 CCTV cameras across the four local councils' jurisdictions. Teoh calculated that each CCTV camera would cost between RM110,000 and RM120,000, suggesting they should be technologically advanced. He found this cost unreasonable and instead advocated for improving services offered by local councils, questioning the necessity of privatising the service. Teoh also echoed Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung's call to review the privatisation process, noting that the local council would lose out on parking collection revenue, especially given the recent increase in Petaling Jaya City Council's assessment rates. He highlighted that previous privatisation concessionaires faced intense scrutiny from elected representatives, and this situation should be no different. "Listen to the rakyat, and we can safeguard the benefit of the local residents," he concluded.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Selangor parking system working fine, no need to fix it, says PJ MP
"IF THE system is not broken, why fix it?" is a Selangor MP's response to the state government's controversial decision to appoint a company as the new parking concessionaire in the state. Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung ( pic ) said the current parking collection fee system, where Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) Selangor takes a 10% administrative cut, should remain based on its effectiveness. "The current parking system has been functioning effectively with no major complaints. "If the system is not broken, why fix it?" he said in a press statement on Thursday (July 17). Lee said the proposed parking system risks compromising the financial autonomy of the four local councils, which include Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). The others are Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). On Wednesday (July 16), state local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the privatisation under Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP) initiative hinges on final consent from all involved parties, including the four local councils. Lee pointed out that revenue collected from the parking fees contributes directly to MBPJ's consolidated fund and is reinvested into essential local services such as road maintenance, public parks, and lighting, said Lee. "Why jeopardise this vital income stream?" he questioned. Lee added that local councils are best placed to determine suitable smart city and parking solutions for their communities. "Even proposals to add new parking lots now reportedly require state-level approval — an overreach that undermines local authority," he said. Lee added that in 1999, the state government awarded a similar concession, which ended in failure. He urged the Selangor government to safeguard the legal and financial independence of local councils.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Possible delay in parking deal
MPS, MBPJ, MBSA and MBSJ will set the policies in the privatisation of on-street parking under the SIP initiative. — Filepic THE planned Aug 1 rollout of Selangor's on-street parking privatisation exercise may be delayed if parties fail to agree on the terms. State local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the privatisation under Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP) initiative hinges on final consent from all involved parties, including the four local councils involved in the first phase. While an in-principle agreement was in place, he said the finalisation of key details such as revenue sharing and contract duration was still underway and could delay the plan. 'We are currently finalising all the details. 'The Selangor state executive council may request a delay in implementation if certain parties are not agreeable to specific details,' he said. The four local councils (PBTs) involved in the first phase are Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). Ng was speaking at a press conference to address concerns regarding Selangor's move to privatise on-street parking fee collection, enforcement and management under the SIP initiative. Ng (centre), Mohd Ramali (left) and Johary fielding questions on Selangor's move to privatise parking fee collection, enforcement and management. He said the tripartite agreement involved the PBTs as the policy-setters, Menteri Besar Incorporated's (MBI) subsidiary Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd as the system coordinator and a private concessionaire as the system operator. 'The agreement will streamline and centralise the on-street parking system across all PBTs in Selangor,' he said. Ng added that the move was in line with the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171). 'The implementation of on-street parking management through a concessionaire is not new in Selangor, as it has been used since 1996. 'As of June, five PBTs, including MBSA and MPS, still use the concession method,' said Ng, without explaining the difference between the SIP and the current concession agreements. He said that under the new agreement, enforcement would remain under local council jurisdiction, while the concessionaire would pay the salaries of enforcement officers and handle operational costs. 'Parking revenue will be distributed between the PBTs, Rantaian Mesra and the concessionaire based on an agreed model. 'PBTs will not bear any operational costs and can expect higher long-term revenue.' He said the concessionaire would invest RM200mil in infrastructure for SIP, including installing about 1,800 CCTV cameras across the first phase's four local councils' jurisdiction. He acknowledged that the local councils might initially see a dip in revenue, but were projected to benefit significantly after three years. Also present at the press conference at the State Secretariat building in Shah Alam were MBI Selangor general manager Mohd Ramali Abu Bakar and Selangor Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Johary Anuar. At an earlier event that day, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had said that he would review the SIP initiative. 'I will look into this again since the issue has been brought up,' he said, confirming that Ng's statement on the privatisation of on-street parking were accurate. Amirudin said the state had received 26 Requests for Proposal by interested parties for the SIP and that MBI Selangor, which would oversee the concessionaire's performance, would prioritise the state's interest. 'We do not want to award it to just any party. 'In the past, some private operators were effective in collecting parking fees, while others were not,' he said.
