It is not surprising that many netizens have expressed their disbelief towards the claim made by the KL city mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz that the public supports the new parking rate in KL.
I too find it hard to believe when the mayor said that his remarks were based on feedback obtained from residents in Bangsar and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
I nevertheless find it strange and unacceptable that he has made the claim without providing any concrete evidence and details.
As a mayor, he should know that this is an issue where he cannot expect to merely justify with general remarks.
The mayor should have provided details like how many residents he talked to and how many among them expressed their support for the parking fee hike.
I therefore challenge the mayor to commission an independent and professional survey to ascertain the public reaction towards the parking fee increase as well as the privatization of parking system in KL.
As an MP for Seputeh constituency which is a part of KL, I believe and know that the public do not support the two new measures implemented by KL.
I am prepared to say that an independent and professional survey will definitely reveal that the public opposes the two new measures.
While the increase in parking rate may have some effect in preventing “ hogging” of parking spaces, this is not the way to resolve the hogging problem and should not be the main or sufficient reason for hiking parking fee.
When a government talks about a solution, it has to ensure that the solution is effective, practical, fair and reasonable.
It is certainly not fair when public are made to pay more for parking fees more due to the government’s failure to provide more parking spaces and better public transport system.
I maintain that the privatization of the parking system is unacceptable as it only serves the interest of the BN crony.
If the mayor is confident that the public supports the two new measures, he has no reason not to accept my challenge of commissioning an independent and professional public survey.