GEORGE TOWN, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has instructed both local authorities in the state to immediately suspend the implementation of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system for issuing compounds, to allow a review of its details.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision was made after the state government took into account public feedback and views regarding the implementation of the system.
“The state government will instruct both local authorities, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP)) to immediately suspend the implementation of ANPR and review its details.
“What is important is that we listen to the people’s voices, review what needs to be reviewed, and ensure that every policy implemented truly takes into account the interests of the people of Penang,” he said in a Facebook post tonight.
Chow said the matter was among those discussed during a meeting with Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim and Penang DAP deputy chairman Zairil Khir Johari after he chaired the Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) Leadership Council meeting here today.
Chow said they also discussed several issues concerning the livelihood of Penang residents, particularly the economic challenges currently being faced, and that several related measures would be detailed and announced in the near future.
Yesterday, MBPP Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the use of the ANPR system by MBPP, which began on April 24 last year, had resulted in an average of about 7,000 parking offence compounds being issued every month.
He said the number of compounds showed that the technology had helped improve the efficiency of parking enforcement, particularly as the number of parking bays managed by the local authority on the island had now reached nearly 20,000.
The ANPR system, which began operating on April 24, 2025 involving two vehicles, enabled MBPP to detect parking offences more accurately compared with manual inspection methods.
However, its implementation had caused unease and concern among Penang residents, including former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
-- BERNAMA