GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Smart Parking (PSP) application encountered a technical glitch this morning, with users' eWallet balances appearing as RM4.40.
A message which read "Penang Smart Parking kena hacked. Now balance all become RM4.40. Check your balance (sic)" has since been making its round on various social media platforms.
Irate users also took to social media to vent their frustrations.
On the Penang Smart Parking's Facebook page and Instagram account, it posted a message about 1pm, apologising for the inconvenience caused.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and we are working hard to resolve this matter. Thank you for your patience!" it said.
It also went on to inform users not to worry of their eWallet balances which appeared as RM4.40 in the Penang Smart Parking app.
"We are currently facing some technical issues and our team is looking into it and we will get it fixed as soon as possible.
"Rest assured that all users' wallets remain secure and the balances are intact," it added.
Meanwhile, users hit out on the comment's section of the Penang Smart Parking's Facebook posting, with Syamim Haris asking if users would be issued with summons for parking their vehicles without coupon.
Lucas Liam said: "So call (sic) Penang Smart Parking, but not smart at all" while Magnums Khor asked "What if today get ticket is bcuz of your failure app?".
Trader Nohazwani Ismail, 39, said she was surprised to find that the balance in her Penang Smart Parking application showed RM4.40 when she had just topped it up with RM50 two days ago.
"I became aware of this problem at 10am this morning when I wanted to make a parking payment at Jalan Transfer. At first I was surprised because I tried twice, the application could not be opened.
"After trying the third time, I managed to open it (the application) but was surprised to find the balance was only RM4.40, while only last Monday I just top-up RM50," she said.
The Penang Smart Parking was launched and started operations on Aug 19, 2019 at 647 parking lots in George Town and 350 in the Seberang Prai area.
By 2020, a total of 36,000 parking lots were fitted with sensors for the Penang Smart Parking use.
The parking fee is 80 sen per hour for the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and 40 sen per hour for the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP).