Penang govt orders immediate halt of ‘hot’ ANPR parking system

 Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says the decision was made after discussions with Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim and vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

Two of the ANPR vehicles used to track parking violators and issue immediate fines. Between 7,000 and 10,000 parking violations per month have reportedly been recorded by the system. (MBPP pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Penang state government has ordered an immediate halt to the use of the automated number plate recognition system by which parking violators are identified and fines issued immediately.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said this evening that the decision to halt the ANPR system was made after discussing the “hot topic” with Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim and vice-chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

Chow said the ANPR system will be reviewed. “It is vital for us to listen to the people and review what is necessary to ensure policies implemented take into account the interests of Penangites,” he said in a Facebook post this evening.

An average of between 7,000 and 10,000 parking violations per month have been recorded by the system, according to a report yesterday by Buletin Mutiara, the state government mouthpiece.

A view inside the city council vehicle used to track parking violators through the automated number plate recognition system. (MBPP pic)

The ANPR system cross-checks number plates with the road transport department (JPJ) database. If a vehicle is found to be parked illegally or without payment, a compound fine notice is instantly issued, with the owner’s details pulled directly from JPJ records.On-the-spot fines were implemented from April last year by the Penang island city council and the Seberang Perai municipal council, which operated five ANPR vehicles each.

Penang island mayor A Rajendran was quoted by Buletin Mutiara as saying the council supervises almost 20,000 parking bays on the island, and that the system improves efficiency without a large increase in enforcement personnel and high operating costs. - FMT