By Aida Aziz
Photo: Complainant
IPOH: A parking area along Lorong Panglima near Plan B here has allegedly been a hotspot for illegal parking attendants who demand payments from motorists, in a practice said to have been going on for years.
A complainant identified as Amir claimed the individuals charged motorists up to RM5 despite the parking bays being managed by the local authority, rather than privately owned.
Amir said he regularly parked in the area and noticed that the individuals would typically appear after Ipoh City Council (MBI) enforcement officers had completed their patrols.
He said the situation was particularly concerning as many out-of-town visitors mistakenly believed they had to pay the individuals, only to be issued compounds for failing to pay through the local authority’s parking application.
He stressed that the alleged illegal parking attendants should be closely monitored by the authorities, as their presence had caused concern among motorists, particularly those who refused to pay them.
“The parking bays near Plan B along Lorong Panglima belong to MBI.
Several illegal parking attendants start asking for payment from 10am onwards or after MBI officers have completed their parking checks.
“They are mostly around on weekends and public holidays, even though these are paid parking bays managed by the local authority. When motorists pay them instead, some end up being charged twice because they assume they do not need to pay through the application.
“I once asked why they were collecting parking fees, and one of them replied that they were looking after the area.
“I refuse to pay them because they ask for as much as RM5, whereas the local authority’s parking charges are lower.
“Some even ask motorists to scan a QR code. When I asked what would happen if I received a summons, they said it was not their problem,” he told Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic.
Amir hoped the authorities would step up patrols and monitoring of illegal parking attendants in the area, as well as at other hotspots around Ipoh.
He said stronger enforcement could help reduce the risk of unwanted incidents and ensure public safety.
