GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) wants the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and traffic police to promptly address Penang's worsening parking situation.
CAP said the issue of motorists who disregard parking laws, including parking in no-parking zones and haphazard locations was reaching 'chronic levels'.
In a recent survey by CAP along Jalan Utama, Jalan Residency, Jalan Logan, Jalan Penang, Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Pantai and several areas in Air Itam revealed a trend of motorists parking without considering other road users, posing dangers and inconveniences.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the situation had escalated and was particularly evident in Jalan Residency (near the Penang Hospital), where cars were frequently found parked along the road despite the double yellow lines.
"CAP has also identified several public parking lots where large barrels, plastic chairs, flower pots and other items obstruct parking spaces.
"Moreover, vehicles encroaching on pavements and bus stops exacerbate the congestion issues already prevalent on Penang's roads, causing undue problems for commuters.
"Lack of parking, mostly in George Town, has led to illegal parking and traffic congestion in the area," he said today.
"In light of these issues, CAP urgently calls upon the MBPP and the traffic police to intensify enforcement efforts and take decisive action against motorists who violate parking regulations and park indiscriminately.
"Swift and robust measures are imperative to ensure the safety and convenience of all road users in Penang," he added.
Mohideen said CAP also proposed to limit parking time in public parking lots so that those who used the space throughout the entire day.