P Pinang batal kompaun parkir ANPR, bayar balik saman

Pulau Pinang state government has cancelled all fines issued through the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system due to vehicles parked outside designated parking spaces. The administration will also refund those who have already paid the fines. This move comes after public opposition to the system, particularly complaints that drivers were given too little time to pay before a notice was issued.

The state authorities had previously claimed a one-minute delay was sufficient for drivers to open the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) app and make the payment. Local government deputy chairman H’ng Mooi Lye stated that there were also instances when drivers only stopped briefly to pick up or drop off passengers, something the camera-based system could not reliably detect.

The ANPR is used by government vehicles to scan license plate numbers and monitor parking violations. MBPP began using this system in April of last year as part of the implementation of smart parking applications, with around 7,000 parking notices issued each month. H’ng stated that all ANPR fines issued due to vehicles parked outside the designated area will now be cancelled.

Those who have paid can claim their refund from MBPP or the Penang Island City Council (MBSP) until September 30. Those who paid through the PSP app will receive the refund automatically credited to their PSP account. According to H’ng, 29,240 ANPR parking notices were issued for vehicles parked outside designated areas between April and August 2025.

He added that drivers fined for not paying parking can appeal if they actually paid within 10 minutes after the notice was issued. If the fine has been paid, they can also claim a refund. According to him, parking fees through the PSP system will continue as usual and the contract with the system provider will end at the end of next year.

Under the new rules, enforcement action will be carried out manually by PBT officials on the ground based on observation and actual conditions. Enforcement will continue for vehicles parked in no-parking zones, stopping, or causing obstruction. The state government suspended the use of ANPR after receiving many complaints last weekend.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow instructed both state authorities to re-examine the system. H’ng said that the ANPR system is not being abolished, but will no longer be used to automatically issue fines. He said the state government could reconsider using ANPR in the future with some safeguards, such as giving drivers a longer 10-minute delay and double scanning the vehicle before issuing a fine.