Proposal to implement parking app denied

MBPJ corporate communications officer Edura Mazelan showing how the parking app works at the launch of the trial run for the Smart Selangor Parking app at MBPJ headquarters. — filepic

PETALING Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain’s proposal to implement the Smart Selangor Parking (SSP) app in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, has been shot down by councillors who want it to be further assessed.

The app helps eliminate the hassle of looking for parking coupons as motorists can pay for parking digitally.

Yesterday, Mohd Azizi made a motion at the full board meeting to gain councillors’ approval to implement the SSP app that has been on a trial run since May 1.

The motion to approve such proposal has to go through the finance sub-committee but Mohd Azizi said this would be done at the next meeting at the end of June.

Councillor Sean Oon said it was too quick to approve the SSP app, as it had to be assessed for its effectiveness.

“I think the people of Petaling Jaya want to test the app a little longer.

“We need time for a broader discussion on its implementation. We cannot just approve it as we need to look into the firm that is providing the service,” he said, adding that this encompassed the issue of transparency and accountability.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had tested the app for a month at PJU5, Dataran Sunway in Kota Damansara because the area was known for parking issues and had the most number of commercial parking bays at 1,522.

“It must go through an open tender process. We need to be transparent in our dealings with the firm providing the service,” said Oon.

Mohd Azizi retorted that the app was created by Leading Innovative Technologies and Systems Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI).

“Since it is an MBI initiative, a direct negotiation process can be done with the correct procedures observed,” he added.

Councillor Derek Fernandez urged MBPJ to get clarification from the state government on the issue of direct negotiations.

He said based on the new Federal Government’s policies, all government purchases must be through open tender and not direct negotiation.

“We need to find out whether MBPJ is required to hold an open tender in relation to the parking software even though a state government company has teamed up with a vendor from the private sector,” he said.

He added that it was important that MBPJ and the state government abided by the Government’s new economic and treasury policies, and to seek clear clarification when in doubt.

Councillor Terrence Tan Teck Seng said the sudden proposal for the implementation of the SSP app had caught councillors off-guard.

“We need more time on this matter. It must go through the finance sub-committee.

“Let us extend the trial period for one more month,” he said.

Mohd Azizi agreed with the councillors to table the proposal at the next finance sub-committee meeting and to extend the SSP trial period for an extra month.

He said the trial period would be carried out in another location besides Dataran Sunway, which had seen good response.

“We have 4,610 users now at Dataran Sunway for this digital parking app,” he said.

Earlier this year, MBPJ terminated the services of parking concessionaire Godell Parking Sdn Bhd and rolled out a new scratch-and-display parking coupon, while the SSP app is another option for motorists.