Pkr Mp Warns Selangor Of Umno Era Mistake In Parking Privatisation

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Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung urged the Selangor government to reconsider privatising street parking operations, warning that it risks repeating the failures of past administrations.
The PKR lawmaker pointed to a “similar” concession which “ended in failure” in 2017, after it was awarded by the Umno-led state government in 1999.
“The concessionaire went bankrupt, owing MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) RM7.2 million.
“(At the time), Pakatan Rakyat strongly opposed that decision - so why are we now considering repeating the same mistake?” Lee questioned in a social media post today.
In 1999, Godell Parking Sdn Bhd entered a 20-year contract with the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) to supply it with parking meter machines. The company reaped 40 percent of parking fees - 60 percent went to the council - on top of paying RM37.45 to the council per month, per machine.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) headquartersHowever, in 2017, then-Petaling Jaya major Azizi Zain said the city council would terminate Godell’s services, citing the company’s failure to fulfil its payments to the council, properly maintain the machines, and conduct enforcement at parking bays.
It was previously reported that while there were over 700 parking machines catering to about 21,000 public parking bays, more than half of them were faulty.
‘Profit-driven’ deal
Meanwhile, Lee said that while the current state government’s proposed 10-year concession was touted as a lucrative opportunity, public policy should be shaped by expertise, not maximising profits with “narrowly-defined” agreements.
“I urge the Selangor state government to safeguard the legal and financial independence of our local councils. Let us strive for an optimal balance between urban planning and mobility choices.
“Respect local knowledge and the people’s wisdom - not oversimplified, profit-driven solutions,” he added.
Selangor government buildingStressing that parking management is unequivocally under the jurisdiction of local councils, Lee voiced frustration at how the plan could jeopardise MBPJ’s income.
ADS“Revenue collected from parking fees contributes directly to MBPJ’s consolidated fund and is reinvested into essential local services such as road maintenance, public parks, and lighting.
“The current parking system - implemented under state direction and with MBI Selangor (Menteri Besar Selangor [Incorporated]) already taking a 10 percent administrative cut - has been functioning effectively with no major complaints. If the system is not broken, why fix it?” he said.
He added that the state government’s role should be to set overarching policies instead of dictating specific implementation, which could go against optimum smart city and parking solutions for the community.
“Solving urban congestion, including the allocation of car parks, requires comprehensive strategies - not merely painting more parking lots or imposing stricter fines, let alone a single-minded focus on increasing collection rates.
“The root issues must be addressed holistically. If decisions are made to reduce parking spaces in favour of walkways and bus lanes, would this broader urban planning vision conflict with private interests seeking to maximise profits?” he queried.
Privatisation plan faces scrutiny
On Tuesday, Selangor state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim clarified that discussions are still ongoing over the privatisation of street parking management across four local authorities.
Noting that a final agreement is expected to be signed by Aug 1, Ng said MBI Selangor is in the final stages of negotiations with its subsidiary, Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd, to implement the Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) system.
Selangor state executive councillor Ng Suee LimHe previously said the concessionaire will handle both fee collection and enforcement, with the revenue to be split equally.
The concessionaire will receive 50 percent, while the remaining half will go to the state - 40 percent to the councils and 10 percent to MBI Selangor.
Veteran journalist R Nadeswaran previously revealed that a check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia revealed Rantaian Mesra’s principal activities as “advertising and consultant services”, questioning how the company could be appointed as it did not have a track record in parking operations.
He also recommended that the privatisation scheme be deferred pending a formal inquiry by the Selangor Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability, and Transparency (Selcat).
The parking operations privatisation involves the MBPJ, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).
The plan has faced strong backlash from other MPs as well as residential and eco-sustainability groups. - Mkini

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