Groups call for immediate halt to Selangor parking privatisation deal

PJ Sejahtera and Persatuan Petaling Jaya Lestari stand united in opposing the Selangor government’s move to grant 50% of parking revenue from four local councils – the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council, Shah Alam City Council and Selayang Municipal Council – to Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd under a 10-year concession from 1 August.

We fully support the call by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Ronnie Liu, Muda and veteran journalist R Nadeswaran to halt this deal immediately and restore full public control over local council resources.

Parking is a local council resource whose revenues ought to go directly to the respective local councils who manage them for the net benefit of the councils’ residents.

Millions at stake

“The proposed system places MBPJ at risk of being unable to deliver essential services to Petaling Jaya residents,” warned MP Lee Chean Chung (The Star, 10 July), citing threats to basic infrastructure like lighting, roads and parks.

Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, a former Selangor executive council member, said on Facebook (10 July): “The right to charge parking is given to MBPJ under federal road transport act not by the state. The state has no power over this.”

“We are alarmed that MBPJ – the rightful authority under the Road Transport Act 1987 – is being sidelined in its own jurisdiction,” stated Muda (Malaysiakini, 11 July), pointing to legal overreach and democratic backsliding.

“Any such direction, if made, amounts to an abuse of power as the money rightly belongs to the people of Petaling Jaya and is to be used for their benefit, not a third party,” wrote journalist R Nadeswaran (Malaysiakini, 8 July), adding that clarification from councillors has gone unanswered.

Key issues

• Lack of transparency: Public consultation was non-existent. The selection process remains opaque.
• Revenue grab: Petaling Jaya alone may lose RM10m annually – a major blow to service delivery and urban upkeep.
• Legal overreach: The councils’ powers under the Road Transport Act 1987 are being undermined.

Our joint demands

We urge the Selangor state government to:

• Immediately cancel the concession
• Release the vendor selection process and associated procurement documentation including the final contract
• Re-affirm local councils’ rights to fully manage parking
• Convene a public inquiry into how this carve-out of a common good to private interests came about

Note that this issue is not just about parking but also about:

• Public accountability
• Respecting local government autonomy, and
• Responsible and transparent resource management and finance

We stand in full support of the concerns expressed by MP Lee Chean Chung, Ronnie Liu, Muda and R Nadeswaran – each of whom has raised legitimate issues that reflect the sentiment of the people.

PJ Sejahtera is a growing coalition of residents’ associations, civil society groups and multi-stakeholders, working to ensure sustainable, equitable and participatory development in Petaling Jaya.

Persatuan Petaling Jaya Lestari is an NGO dedicated to promoting eco-sustainability in Petaling Jaya. It works with members to raise awareness, organise green initiatives, engage with authorities on sustainable development, and advocate for transparent city governance.

Wong Mei Ching is the secretary of Persatuan Petaling Jaya Lestari. Tunku Johan Mansur is the pro-tem chair of PJ Sejahtera.

Endorsed by:

1. Damansara Utama Residents’ and Owners’ Association Zone B1 (Duroa Zone B1)
2. Residents’ Association, Section 5, Petaling Jaya
3. Residents’ Association, Jalan Istana Kota Damansara, Section 9, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
4. Residents’ Association, Section 11, Petaling Jaya
5. Residents’ Association, Section 12, Petaling Jaya
6. Residents’ Association, Road 14/1-14/15, Section 14, Petaling Jaya
7. Residents’ Association, Section 22, Petaling Jaya
8. Martabat PJ
9. Alliance of River Three
10. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
11. Residents’ Association, Road 16/5, Petaling Jaya
12. Residents’ Association, SS2 Utara Zone 2
13. Taman Paramount Residents’ Association (TPRA)
14. The Hub SS2 Joint Management Body
15. Residents’ representative, Section 51A, Taman Medan

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

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