20/07/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Parking privatisation move met with scepticism

Penangites lose more than RM112m to cybercrime GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded more than RM112 million in losses from cybercrime cases involving online financial fraud in the first six months of this year. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said statistics showed RM70.1 million was recorded in the first half of 2024 for the same crime, showing an increase of RM42.9 million. “From January onwards, Penang police have carried out eight raids on call centre syndicates, with the arrest of 75 individuals, consisting of 51 men and 24 women. “Of the total arrests, 39 were locals while 36 were foreigners, and we are conducting operations from time to time to combat fraudulent syndicates,” he said at a press conference on Friday. He also warned the public not to fall for calls, messages or offers that seem too good to be true and to verify information with the authorities or official sources beforehand. On another matter, Mohd Alwi said police are identifying an illegal money-lending syndicate which hired two men, who were arrested, to assist in the investigation into a fire at three houses in Tasek Gelugor on June 24. He said the men are believed to have committed arson and investigations found that a borrower was among those affected by the fire. “Once the investigation by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department is completed, we would try to identify and track down the (loan shark) who hired the two suspects,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire. – Bernama Man suspected of burying infant arrested KUANTAN: Police arrested a man on suspicion of concealing the birth and death of an infant at Kampung Melayu Desa Kayangan in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands. District police chief Supt Azri Ramli said information was received from the suspect’s father, who found the baby’s body. “The suspect’s father saw a patch of ground that had been dug up when he was going to a water tank located behind their house. He then found the dead baby wrapped in cloth and called the police.” Azri said the 19-year-old suspect, who works as a cleaner at a homestay, admitted to burying the remains of the two-day-old baby born to his 21-year-old stepsister. The man has been remanded for four days to assist in investigations. – Bernama

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Selangor residents associations express concern over state govt decision to replace existing system

and which have not. Why can’t (we) invest in similar technology to make fee collection easier?” He added that under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, parking was also privatised and managed by a third party, a system that eventually failed. “When Pakatan Harapan came into power in 2018, they cut ties with the private company and introduced the Flexi Parking app to manage payments.” Petaling Jaya Section 5 Residents Association president Tunku Johan Mansur said the concession could affect local government finances and result in higher costs for residents. “With rising operational costs, residents are concerned that any loss in local council revenue resulting from this deal could lead to increases in assessment rates.” He called for greater transparency before any additional decisions are made. Petaling Jaya Section 11 Residents Association president Dr Renuka Yogalingam said she has no objection to privatisation, provided it improves services without raising parking fees. “We expect the parking system to work better if it is privatised, with more innovative ways to collect fees. We do not want parking fees to increase, especially since many retirees would be burdened by it.” Renuka also said many senior citizens struggle with parking apps, and suggested a more accessible solution. “Parking apps are not suitable for retirees who are not tech-savvy. It would be better if there was an option to pay via Touch ‘n Go, which users could top up anytime. “As long as the authorities engage with the public and propose a sustainable solution, I think the public would be fine with the move.” Last week it was reported that Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd has been appointed to handle the implementation of the Smart Parking System (SIP) by Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated after a request for proposal was issued. State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the company was appointed for the first phase of implementation, involving the Petaling Jaya City Council, Subang Jaya City Council, Shah Alam City Council and Selayang Municipal Council.

PETALING JAYA: Residents associations have spoken out on the Selangor government’s decision to award a parking concession to a company that would take over fee collection and enforcement at four local council areas starting Aug 1. They questioned the need for privatisation, particularly since a smart parking system is already in place. Petaling Jaya Jawatankuasa Rukun Tetangga Section 6 chairman Rajesh Mansukhlal said the decision brings more questions than answers.

that new concessionaire, motorists may no longer receive discounts for early payment of parking summonses. He urged the state government to look to Penang for an example of a parking system that uses enforcement vehicles and technology. “Penang has enforcement (technology) that detects which vehicles have paid for parking under the

“Is the state government not capable of managing parking on their own? If the parking fee collection has not been enough, why privatise car parks when the company might encounter the same problems?” He told theSun instead of outsourcing the task, the state government should consider hiring consultants to improve the existing system. He also expressed concern

The rubble of the double storey house that collapsed into the river. – SUNPIC

Brothers cheat death after house collapses into river LAWAS: Two brothers escaped with minor injuries after their riverside double-storey house collapsed yesterday. Department in a press update. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and reported that they found the boys alive at about noon. members were not home at the time of the incident.” Rescuers treated the brothers for minor injuries.

The rescue unit leader advised neighbours to take the boys to Lawas Hospital for further checkups and observation if necessary. The cause of the collapse is being probed and the local council has been notified. – By Joseph Peter

The incident happened at Kampung Seberang Masjid Lama Awat-Awat in Lawas, Sarawak where there are hundreds of houses built along the riverbank. The house was reported to have collapsed at about 10am, said the Fire and Rescue

The brothers have been identified as Izzan Syahruddin, 12 and Izzan Syahrizal, 18. “The two boys told our rescue teams they were sleeping in their room when the house collapsed. “They said their other family