Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
SIBU (July 12): Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee has called for the implementation of the Smart Parking System to be put on hold until the system is fully stabilised.
He blasted the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) for not briefing local elected representatives first and said he felt “awkward” when members of the public complained to him about parking compounds, as he had been “kept in the dark” about its implementation.
“As people’s elected representatives, it is rightly so that we be consulted on the system’s roll out. Some of those who complained even blamed us (elected representatives). This is most unfair to us as we were never briefed about this smart parking system in the first place. Hence, we do not know how the system works.
“Otherwise, we would have given our input to strengthen the system before its implementation. All of a sudden, we have become the target of public criticism, and this is most unfair to us,” he said on Sunday.
Dr Annuar stressed that SMC should adopt an approach that involves elected representatives whenever public matters are concerned.
“If they want to implement (any new initiatives), it is rightly so that they (SMC) should brief the YB (elected representatives). We are the ‘wakil rakyat’— not them (SMC),” he added.
The Nangka assemblyman emphasised that SMC should not merely implement initiatives that affect the public without involving elected representatives, but instead ensure their active participation in such matters.
“And bear in mind that you (top posts in the council) are politically appointed. You must remember that you are not elected.”
He reiterated that the council had no right to implement anything affecting the people without first informing the elected representatives.
Dr Annuar said all the elected representatives here, not only him, were frustrated and deeply upset over the matter.
“If the elected representatives are already affected and upset, the rakyat, who are directly impacted, must be even more frustrated,” he added.
On SMC’s fine-tuning the system, he strongly urged that ample time be given to motorists to purchase and activate their e-coupon.
“It is so unfair if one is compounded, while trying to complete the transaction.
“Therefore, I call on SMC to immediately put the smart parking system on hold, until the teething problems have been properly addressed and the system stabilises,” he stressed.
He added that motorists should not be issued compounds without valid reasons, particularly when someone was still inside the vehicle.
Separately, SMC has assured the public that it remains committed to improving the Smart Parking System and is prepared to make adjustments, including introducing a possible grace period before compounds are issued to motorists.
Speaking at a press conference here on Friday, SMC chairman Clarence Ting had said the council welcomed feedback from motorists and would continue working towards ensuring the system was more convenient and user-friendly.
In a recent statement, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had urged SMC, particularly Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government (Public Health and Housing) Michael Tiang, to automatically waive all parking fines issued between July 1 and 9 that resulted from problems associated with the new parking system.