Penang Ratepayers Association president Lee Kim Noor (extreme right) hands over the memorandum to Opposition assemblymen outside the state legislative assembly. - CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Ratepayers Association (PRA) say the parking fee increase imposed on the island vehicle users is not justifiable.
Its president, Lee Kim Noor said the reason for the parking fee hike that it has not been raised in the past few years is not acceptable.
"Penang's parking rate on the island is one of the highest, considering Butterworth's parking fee is only RM0.40 per hour.
"The Penang Smart Parking (PSP) system was recently implemented, which has caused an increase in parking fees for maintaining the parking sensors and other upgrades unjustified.
"Before deciding on a system, it is important that relevant authorities look at long-term maintenance to avoid increasing parking fees.
"Our mayor in announcing the increase said it is to ensure fair access for everyone.
"We recommend that the basic RM0.40 for the first half an hour be maintained and increasing the charge for additional hours," Lee said in a memorandum she handed over at the State Legislative Assembly in George Town here today (Nov 28).
She urged the state government and local council not to put any more burden on ratepayers and stop any increases.
Lee also spoke on the recent announcement by the state to review quit rent charges.
"We understand that the state has the jurisdiction to increase the rate, but as the government for the people, we believe that the state must consider the rights and interests of the ratepayers by implementing a gradual increase.
"It is untrue that Penang has not reviewed the quit rent for 30 years as in 2019 the parcel quit rent was introduced and we raised the issue that the formula for parcel quit rent needs a review but there was no update.
"If the quit rent requires a review, it must include parcel quit rent.
"Not having an increase in the past 30 years is not a good excuse for increasing the quit rent now because the number of landed and highrise properties has increased multi-fold in the past three decades," she said.
She added the announcement by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), to increase assessment rates next year was unnecessary.
"The last rate adjustment and increase was in 2020 and despite minimal public engagement, another increase was announced.
"We understand that the local councils have higher expenditure due to inflation but ensuring cost is within their control and preventing leakage is equally important.
"We urge the two city councils to find smarter ways to collect the more than RM50mil that defaulters owe them," she said.
Lee urged the state government to be transparent with the ratepayers before deciding on any fee increase.
She urged the state to hold a dialogue session before any revisions were made and to include non-governmental organisations like Ratepayers as well as civil societies in a special task force which can be set up under Section 101 of the National Land Code.
"The timing for the increase is not appropriate, taking into consideration the current high inflation, water rates just being increased and the RON95 petrol subsidy cuts looming.
"We urge the state government not to put an extra burden on the ratepayers.
"If any increase is necessary, it should be gradual and minimal.
"It is the wish of ratepayers that the state government should spend within its means and not operate on a negative budget, which eventually will become a burden to the ratepayers,” she said.
It was reported that parking rates in Penang will see a 50% rise in fees at designated locations on the island for PSP users starting March 2025.
Under the revised rates, parking fees will increase from RM0.40 to RM0.60 for 30 minutes, RM0.80 to RM1.20 for an hour, and RM6 to RM9 for a full day.
