The presence of parking touts in the city centre of Ipoh, Perak is a longstanding issue.
They are commonly found at Gerbang Malam night bazaar in Ipoh New Town and Lorong Panglima, popularly known as Concubine Lane at Ipoh Old Town.
Garment trader Muhd Hafiz Anuar said the issue has been ongoing for many years in Gerbang Malam.
“There are quite a lot of them operating around here and most of them appear to be homeless.
“There used to be a police tent here and we would not see any touts loitering then.
“However, they would operate in other streets where there was no police presence.
“Visitors have also complained about their presence and when I confront them (touts), they tend to flee.”
Another trader, Mohd Ismail Amin, said frequent police patrols were needed, particularly at night.
He estimated that 10 to 15 touts operate around the area, with some moving to other locations during the day before returning to Gerbang Malam at night.
“I think stronger enforcement is needed. There is a police beat here, but it needs to be more active at night.”
A visitor to Gerbang Malam, who declined to be named, said she was surprised to see individuals collecting parking fees at what she understood to be a parking area managed by Ipoh City Council (MBI).
“I’m also concerned about the safety of motorists. We do not know if these people can harm us or damage our vehicles.
“Some of them can be quite forceful when demanding payment and would not leave until they are paid.”
At Lorong Panglima, museum assistant Chloe Hor said parking touts normally returned after the police have left.
“One of them would sometimes sit in front of the museum and wait for police to leave before resuming his activities.
“We tell visitors not to pay them, but touts tend to wait in front of their cars.
“There are usually about two of them operating at different parking spots.”
Appropriate action
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the police had implemented measures such as patroling the area and monitoring them as well as taking action under existing laws.
“An effective solution requires coordinated action between the police and the city council, based on their respective jurisdictions and responsibilities,” he said in a written reply to StarMetro.
He said two policemen would be assigned to conduct daily patrols at Lorong Panglima from 10am to 4pm, while two others patrolled at Gerbang Malam from 7pm to midnight.
“We have two policemen who are stationed at the Gerbang Malam police beat daily from evening to midnight.
“It is therefore inaccurate to say there is no police presence or deployment at night in the Gerbang Malam area.”
Additional patrols would be conducted based on operational needs, intelligence, public complaints and the prevailing situation, he said.
Comm Mohd Alwi said every arrest had to be supported by sufficient evidence to enable legal action to proceed to the prosecution stage.
He said police had previously made arrests and investigation papers had also been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action in May.
However, the charge under Section 50(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 was unsuccessful on the grounds that there was lack of evidence relating to the transaction that occurred when the arrest was made.
“This shows that an arrest alone is not sufficient.
“Police must ensure elements of an offence can be proven through facts and solid evidence so that enforcement action has a clear legal basis.”
He added that police would continue to improve their monitoring, information-gathering and evidence collection methods.
Collaborative effort vital
Comm Mohd Alwi said MBI had an important role in managing and controlling parking areas under its jurisdiction.
“MBI needs to ensure that parking spots under its management are operated only through authorised methods and payment channels and that no unauthorised individuals are allowed to collect parking fees or control parking spaces.”
The police, he said, had received complaints about individuals selling car-polishing products who allegedly damaged visitors’ vehicles after they refused to buy.
“If anyone encounters threats, intimidation, harassment or damage to their vehicles, they should lodge a police report so that appropriate investigation and action can be carried out.”
Comm Mohd Alwi said collaboration with Social Welfare Department (JKM) was being implemented to help address groups that use touting as a source of income.
“However, there are situations where the individuals concerned return to the same activities after being released from welfare intervention.”
A long-term solution should focus on three key areas, he said, namely improving enforcement against parking touts, ensuring that city council-managed parking areas were properly administered with clear official payment channels as well as strengthening cooperation between police, MBI and relevant agencies to address social factors behind the recurring problem.
He also said clear signage and public announcements on official parking payment methods should be strengthened to avoid confusion among visitors and tourists.
On the proposal by traders to establish more police tents at the lanes around Gerbang Malam, Comm Mohd Alwi said the suggestion would be considered based on security needs, operational effectiveness and available manpower.
However, he clarified that a police post alone would not solve the problem as it needed to be supported by continuous enforcement and proper management of parking areas by MBI.
“The public and tourists should not pay anyone who is not authorised to collect parking fees.
“Do not confront them directly, but if there is any form of threat, harassment, intimidation, vehicle damage or other criminal act, lodge a police report.”
Comm Mohd Alwi said information such as time, location, description of individual, vehicle plate number, photos and video recordings could assist the police.
Police, he said, would work with MBI and other agencies to ensure Gerbang Malam, Lorong Panglima and other tourist sites in Ipoh remained safe.
