Kuching’s parking pondoks could be upgraded into smart parking service counters

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 28: Parking pondoks (huts) across Kuching could be repurposed and upgraded as smart service counters as the city transitions to the Pay & Go smart parking system.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the councils will discuss with former concessionaire Kuching City Parking Systems Sdn Bhd (KCPS) on the future use of the existing pondoks.

“We will look into what can we do with the pondoks but we need to discuss with KCPS first,” he told a press conference after launching the Pay & Go smart parking system at MBKS Council Chamber today.

Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman believes some will be utilised by Pay & Go to serve motorists.

Pay & Go chief executive officer Eddie Wee said the company plans to upgrade the pondoks with a minimalist design, equipped with LED lighting and solar panels in support of Sarawak’s green transformation agenda.

The Pay & Go smart parking system will begin its trial run from Nov 1 to Dec 31, 2025, covering MBKS and DBKU areas, with full implementation scheduled for Jan 1, 2026.

At the same time, both MBKS and DBKU are urging motorists to settle all outstanding parking compounds incurred under the previous coupon-scratching system before the new system takes effect.

Wee stressed that all unpaid compounds must still be paid to the councils despite KCPS’s concession coming to an end.

“When you owe the compound, you are owing to the councils. Please bear in mind that although the KCPS concession has ended, the company is not closed,” he said.

To ease the transition, MBKS is offering a 50 per cent discount on outstanding compounds, encouraging motorists to clear their dues early.

“Later on, we may look into crediting the outstanding compounds into the new app. It’s best to pay now while there’s a discount. Parking in council areas only costs 20 sen, not RM2. If you can pay RM2 to enter shopping mall, I don’t see why you can’t settle 20 sen. We should pay to keep the service running smoothly,” Wee added.

As for leftover parking coupon booklets, he said MBKS will work with KCPS and announce the next steps soon.

Hilmy said DBKU may also consider a similar discount offer, though its number of outstanding compounds is relatively small.

“We call upon everyone to pay up and meet their obligations. As users of public facilities, we should all be responsible,” he said. — DayakDaily

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