SIBU: Motorists who are dissatisfied with being issued an over-parking notice (OPN) may appeal to the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) for a waiver.
The OPN carries a fee of RM1.
This is among several matters the council has agreed to review following the implementation of the smart parking system on July 1.
The council is also considering introducing a grace period of up to 10 minutes to allow motorists to pay their parking fees via the SMC Cares app without being issued with a compound of RM10 for non-payment of the parking fee.
In addition, SMC will introduce a season pass for senior citizens aged 60 and above.
“I hope the public will bear with us as this system is still new. We welcome public feedback. We are not here to penalise the public because they are our customers,” said SMC’s Chairman, Clarence Ting Ing Horh, at a press conference today.
The press conference was held to address allegations surrounding the implementation of the smart parking system.
Elaborating further, Ting said appeals for an OPN waiver could be submitted through the SMC Cares app.
He added that the council was listening to concerns raised by the public, particularly senior citizens who are not familiar with using the application.
“We will introduce the season pass for senior citizens in August 2026. Details will be announced soon,” he said.
He added that all season passes could be used in both the Central Business District (CBD) and non-CBD areas.
Responding to claims that motorists had been issued RM150 compounds for illegal parking by the parking contractor, Ting clarified that such compounds were issued only by SMC enforcement officers and the police, not by the contractor, Prima Solutions.
“The contractor, which employs 16 parking wardens, is responsible only for ensuring that motorists pay their parking fees through the app. They are paid to provide this service. The parking fees collected go directly to the council and not to the contractor,” he said.
Ting also dismissed allegations that Prima Solutions was owned by an SMC councillor, explaining that the company had been selected through an open tender process.
“Ten companies submitted bids when the tender was opened. We shortlisted three companies, interviewed them, and eventually selected one,” he added.
Also present at the press conference were SMC Works and Traffic Committee Chairman, Ting Hua Sing, and Prima Solutions owner, David Tiong.
