Buying parking coupons for different areas in Selangor can be a hassle.
I LIVE in Petaling Jaya, so I have a set of parking coupons valid for parking anywhere under the jurisdiction of Petaling Jaya City Council.
When I go to Subang Jaya, I need to display parking tickets valid for Subang Jaya. The same goes with Shah Alam, Klang and Kajang.
Everyone is aware that there is very high mobility between these towns and cities.
People living in Petaling Jaya often go to Subang Jaya or to Shah Alam and vice versa. The same goes with people from Klang going to Shah Alam or Petaling Jaya.
Therefore, under the current parking system, we would need to have four or five different types of parking coupons.
To alleviate this, I would suggest the application of the zero-sum solution, whereby any parking coupon from any city or town be allowed, as long as the coupon displayed is valid.
I would term this a zero-sum solution for the local authorities concerned which simply means you win some and you lose some.
Ultimately, if such a system is enforced, it is the rakyat that wins.
And why not, since city, municipal and town councils are charged with making their areas as liveable as possible.
This zero-sum solution requires the consensus and agreement of the various local authorities but this should just be an administrative adjustment.
If implemented, this would eliminate the need to keep stacks of parking coupons and hunting around for coupon outlets.
In the first place, finding a parking lot can sometimes be as difficult as striking a lottery, let alone a parking coupon agent.
In fact, if this zero-sum solution could be implemented across the board to cover the whole country, it will be a boon to visitors.
This would encourage residents from other towns to visit each other and boost inter-state and out-of-state travel, which would spur tourism in Malaysia.
YOW LOP SIAW
Petaling Jaya
