Story by Amanda Khong
PREVIOUSLY in August, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had announced an increase in parking fines.
Those who park outside of the designated parking space or fail to display their parking ticket will receive a RM50 fine while those who park in handicapped slots, pedestrian walkways and bicycle lots will face a hefty RM100 fine.
Recently in a press conference on Sept 22, MBPP secretary Ang Aing Thye said: “The Penang Island City Council is taking these parking offences very seriously so cars will be towed away by MBPP if found to be flouting any of the parking regulations. I urge the public to take this matter seriously as strict action will be taken against offenders.”
The new parking system by MBPP went into effect in January last year but still there are people who refuse to display parking tickets when they park their cars.
Notification of offence (PTK) and compounds were issued to repeat offenders to warn them but to no avail.
As of Sept 18, there are 6,953 cars that have more than 10 parking fines each.
According to the Road Transport Order (TLK) MPPP 2014, vehicles that do not display coupons can be towed away.
Hence, the council has decided to enforce this ruling.
However, the council will consider an instalment scheme for motorists who have an accumulated PTK/compound of over RM1,000.
Since Aug 14, 60 cars have been towed away because of illegal parking and 26 owners have settled their PTK/compound amount.
The highest amount paid so far is a RM6,060 fine which was accumulated from a total of 202 PTK/compounds.
The highest record of PTK/compounds collected is 370 in Penang.