PETALING JAYA: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has given its conditional backing to the Selangor government's decision to privatise on-street parking across the state.

The council's primary concern centres on maintaining, if not increasing, its current parking fee revenue.

Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon confirmed the council's stance, emphasising that any deal must guarantee the city receives at least the same level of income from parking fees as it does now.

"We also still need to fine-tune many aspects of enforcement, including the duration and basis of enforcement officers' involvement, to ensure a smooth privatisation process," he told reporters today after the closing ceremony of the PJ International Outdoor Expo 2025 at the Kelana Jaya Sports Complex on Sunday (July 27).

Zahri underscored the importance of ensuring the city council's revenue from parking fee collection remains stable, if not improved.

He added that the privatisation "should not disrupt the parking situation in Petaling Jaya".

The move follows an announcement on July 9 by state local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, who revealed that a newly appointed concession company would take over parking fee collection and enforcement in four Selangor local councils from Aug 1.

This initiative falls under Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP) programme.

Ng stated that the company was appointed by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) (MBI) for the first phase, which includes MBPJ, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

Zahri noted that MBPJ had "on multiple occasions requested for MBI Selangor to present an agreeable proposal." He said that "there are parts that we agree with, and there are some that require further details," indicating ongoing discussions with MBI.

On July 15, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shahri clarified that the operator for SIP was appointed by MBI through an open tender, which saw 26 interested companies submit requests for proposals.

Amirudin also explained that enforcement would remain the responsibility of the respective local authorities.

The SIP initiative has, however, drawn criticism from several state MPs who have voiced concerns.

They warn that the privatisation deal could lead to a shortfall of up to RM10mil for MBPJ and potentially infringe upon the statutory rights of local councils to manage parking under the Road Transport Act 1987.