JOHOR BARU: PARKING touts or jaga kereta are earning up to RM1,800 a month by soliciting money at non-designated parking lots in the city centre here.
State Road Transport Department director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the boys could earn between RM50 and RM60 in six hours.
He said the touts could earn more during weekends, and often operated in crowded areas, such as the “Bazar Karat” night-time bazaar, Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Bukit Timbalan.
He said the touts would collect RM1 to RM5 for each vehicle, and earned between RM1,500 and RM1,800 a month.
“They operate from 6pm to midnight.
“The people who park their cars will pay the sum asked because they worry about their vehicles.
“They fear the touts will damage their cars if they don’t pay,” said Rusdi at the state RTD headquarters.
He urged the public to inform the police or RTD so that the culprits could be brought to justice.
On Oct 9, he said RTD officers arrested three touts in Jalan Bukit Timbalan and Jalan Ibrahim Sultan here caught soliciting parking charges from visitors.
“They were hauled to court and were found guilty.
“The court sentenced them to a fine of RM300 each and a month’s jail,” he said.
Under Section 50(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987, those convicted of soliciting money for illegal parking operations can be fined not more than RM3,000 or jailed up to a year, or both.