Penang cancels 29,240 automated parking summonses

Photo courtesy of Facebook/MPPP

Penang Island City Council will cancel 29,240 parking summonses issued through its automated number plate recognition system between 2025 and August 2026, after public complaints exposed problems with the technology. Payments totalling RM266,160 are also due to be refunded.

Automated enforcement halted

State local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said the ANPR summons system has been stopped entirely. Parking enforcement will now be handled manually by council officers, while the camera system will be reviewed and retained only for monitoring.

The decision followed complaints that the automated system could not distinguish between illegally parked vehicles and cars that had stopped briefly to drop off passengers. In some cases, a summons was issued even though a driver or passenger remained with the vehicle.

How to claim a refund

Motorists who already paid an affected summons may submit a refund claim to either Penang city council by 30 September. Applicants should provide their payment receipt and bank statement. Claims for Penang Island can be made at Level Three, Komtar, or by email to [email protected].

Mainland claims can be submitted to the enforcement directorate at MBSP's Jalan Betek branch office in Bukit Mertajam, or by email to [email protected]. Motorists who received a summons for failing to pay a parking fee despite paying within the 10-minute grace period may also appeal for cancellation and seek a refund if they already paid.

What it means for foreigners in Malaysia

Foreign residents and visitors who paid an automated parking summons in Penang during the affected period should check their receipt and submit a claim before the deadline. Keep proof of payment and a bank statement ready, and use the appropriate council contact for Penang Island or the mainland. Manual parking enforcement remains in force, so drivers must still follow local parking rules and pay the required fee.

11 August 2026