Dr Sim: Kuching’s smart parking system may be expanded elsewhere in Sarawak (Video)

KUCHING (Nov 3): The smart parking system which began operations here today could potentially be introduced to other areas in the state, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The Deputy Premier said the introduction of the smart parking system is in line with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises digital transformation and smarter urban management.

“We will begin with Kuching first, and later consider expanding the system to other towns,” he said when inspecting the new Kuching Smart Parking System at Jalan Song Thian Cheok today.

He said the Sarawak Cabinet approved the implementation of the new smart parking system with a two-month transition period.

“The MBKS (Kuching South City Council) and DBKU (Kuching North City Commission) are moving to a new parking system, operated by Pay & Go as the appointed concessionaire. The transition period will last two months before full implementation in January,” he explained.

According to him, the new system aims to enhance convenience for the public as all parking payments will be managed through a single mobile application.

“With this new system, parking coupons will be completely discontinued. The parking rates will remain unchanged, between 20 and 50 sen per 30 minutes,” he added.

Dr Sim said the transition would require time for users to adapt but expressed confidence they would adjust quickly.

“Just as we adapted to using smartphones and scanning during the Covid-19 pandemic, we can also learn to embrace this change,” he said.

Among those were Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Kuching North datuk bandar Datuk Hilmy Othman, and Pay & Go managing director Eddie Wee.

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