By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 22: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng today invited Pay and Go representative Desmond Liew to his ShallWeeTalk live to address growing public confusion over the city’s new smart parking system for council parking, which is currently in a two-month trial phase ahead of full implementation on Jan 1, 2026.
The move comes as many motorists seek clarity on how the system detects vehicles, how payments are calculated, and whether user data is securely protected. By bringing the operator directly to the public, Wee said the council hopes to clear misconceptions early and ensure the public understands how the system functions before it goes live.
Q: How do the car tracking system work under the Pay and Go smart parking system in Kuching?
The concept is similar to using a physical parking coupon. Currently, wardens will go around to scan vehicle’s car plates (In the near future, 200 e-bike equipped with License Plate Recognition or LPR cameras will be deployed for enforcement). A 30-minute digital coupon remains valid across the same council area. If you move to another street but stay within the same MBKS or DBKU zone, you will not be charged again within that half-hour. However, if you move to a different council area, the system treats it as a new session and charges accordingly.
For council parking, users either rely on Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) or manually purchase digital coupons. For shopping malls that use the Pay and Go system, cameras at the entrance scan your vehicle upon entry, and cameras at the exit scan again when you leave. The system then calculates your fee. If your EEP or Auto Parking Collection (APC) features are activated, the payment will be processed automatically without requiring manual transactions.
A: How do the Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) works?
Once you register for EEP which is designated for motorists above 60, the first scan by a parking warden triggers a 20-sen deduction, which covers the first 30 minutes. If your car is scanned again within that same half-hour, you will not be charged again. Charges increase according to each 30-minute block: the first half-hour is 20 sen, the second is 50 sen, the third is 80 sen, and so forth.
For users who manually purchase digital coupons on the app, the rules are the same. The coupon is valid within the same council area for the entire duration purchased. If you need more time, you can purchase additional digital coupons as an extension.
Q: If I bought 1.5 hours of parking (20 sen + 50 sen + 80 sen) but leave early, how is the refund calculated?
Refunds are given based on unused 30-minute blocks. For example, if you purchased 1.5 hours but leave after 20 minutes, you can refund the remaining one hour because the next half-hour block has not yet started. If you leave after 35 minutes, you have already entered the second half-hour period, so that portion cannot be refunded.
For example, if you park from 8am to 9.30am but leave at 9am, the last 80 sen can be refunded. However, if you leave at 9.15am, no refund is possible because you have already begun that final block. Refunds can only be processed before the next 30-minute period starts.
Q: If I parked in MBKS, bought a 20-sen coupon, but left after five minutes and moved to DBKU, is my coupon still valid?
No. If you move from MBKS to DBKU (North City Council Commission) jurisdiction, you must purchase a new 20-sen coupon. The original coupon is only valid within the same council area for the duration of the 30-minute block.
Q: What about EEP users entering shopping malls with the Pay and Go system? Will the system deduct charges automatically?
EEP is currently recognised at all shopping malls that use Pay and Go, except AEON Mall. To enjoy automatic deductions at malls, users must ensure that the “Commercial Parking” feature is activated in their myEEP feature. Once enabled, parking charges will be deducted automatically upon exit.
It is important to note that EEP is different from the APC feature. APC automatically deducts parking fees at Pay & Go-linked malls (except AEON) and binds the vehicle’s plate number to the user’s Pay and Go account. APC requires a minimum balance of RM20. Without APC activated, motorists must make payment manually via the Pay and Go app or at payment kiosks before exiting.
APC applies only to mall parking, while EEP benefits are specifically for seniors aged 60 and above in both malls and council parking areas.
Q: Why do some people only notice the deduction after they reach home?
This happens because Pay and Go uses a two-step verification process to ensure no incorrect deductions are made. The verification may take up to 1 to 1.5 hours, which can delay the appearance of the charge. If users believe there has been an error, they may contact Pay and Go via WhatsApp for verification and possible refunds.
Q: How can I top up my Pay and Go account?
Users without a bank account or debit card may visit the CityOne Council Parking office to make a cash top-up. The operator is open to discussions with MBKS, DBKU, and participating shopping malls to introduce more convenient reload locations so that users will not need to travel to CityOne or council offices in the future.
Q: How are cars that stay for 35 minutes charged?
If your car is scanned for the first 30 minutes and you leave at 35 minutes before the next scan, you effectively receive five minutes free under EEP. For users who purchase digital coupons, however, it is important to ensure that the coupon covers the entire duration of their stay to avoid an overparking compound. Even though the app is still in the trial phase, enforcement continues to apply.
Q: How can I change my car number?
Digital coupon users may update their vehicle number directly in the app. Season pass holders must contact customer support, and a fee applies for changing plate numbers.
EEP users cannot change their car plate number directly in the app; they must unregister the old number and reapply with the new one.
Q: How do I know whether a parking area belongs to MBKS or DBKU? I’m also confused about the parking phases (Phases 3, 4, 5, 6).
This has been simplified. Users now only need to select which council they are in—MBKS or DBKU. There is no longer a need to identify phases.
When purchasing a digital coupon, users can tap the “Current Location” button in the app. The app’s GPS will determine the correct council. Pay and Go will also explore integrating a more detailed GPS map, similar to Grab, to further improve accuracy.
Q: What if I accidentally select the wrong area?
The system can verify your actual location through GPS, photographs, and time records. If the mistake was not intentional, it will be overlooked by the operator.
Q: For non-app users, how do I check if a compound has been issued, and how do I pay it?
Non-app users will receive a printed compound slip on their vehicle if they have overstayed or failed to pay. Payment can be made at the Pay and Go office in CityOne Mall or by scanning the QR code on the slip using SPay Global or other available e-wallets.
Q: What happens if the Pay and Go system goes down?
A full system shutdown is unlikely because Pay and Go has backup servers. However, disruptions may occur if there is a telecommunications outage affecting users’ smartphones. In such cases, motorists may wait until their internet connection is restored. Overparking compounds can still be paid within three days.
Q: How does council parking work for foreign cars?
Foreign-registered vehicles can scan QR code signages, which will be installed soon, enter their car plate numbers, and make payment using SPay Global or online banking. If the parking fee is not settled, a compound will be issued.
Q: How do I know which areas are chargeable, especially in new developments?
As long as the parking bays have painted lines, the council is authorised to impose parking charges. Some lots may not have numbers painted yet because repainting is ongoing under a new contractor, but the presence of marked boxes alone indicates that the area is chargeable.
Q: Why are compounds issued during the trial period when full enforcement only begins next year?
During the trial period, the entire system, including enforcement, must run together. This is necessary for the councils and operator to test the system thoroughly, gather accurate data, identify bugs, and ensure that everything functions smoothly ahead of the full implementation in January 2026.
Q: What if a company car is registered under multiple Pay and Go accounts? Will all users receive the compound notification?
Yes. If the same vehicle is registered under several Pay and Go accounts, every linked account will receive a notification if a compound is issued.
Q: There are rumours that some motorists add extra letters to their car plates to confuse scanning devices.
MBKS strongly warns against this. Altering car plates is illegal and could lead to serious legal consequences, including blacklisting from using Pay and Go. Parking fees are minimal at 20 sen, 50 sen, or 80 sen, so such behaviour is unnecessary and risky. Attempting to cheat the system could result in fines, legal action, or the inability to enter parking facilities that rely on plate recognition.
Q: How do I contact Pay and Go?
Pay and Go provides a 24-hour WhatsApp service at +6011-3178 2326 and handles phone calls during office hours.
EEP currently has more than 14,700 registered users and over 12,000 vehicles. The operator assures that all vehicle locations and user data are protected under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Wee also reaffirmed that the council will continue working closely with the operator to refine the Pay and Go system to ensure ease of use, convenience, and a smooth experience before the full rollout in January 2026.
As he puts it, this initiative represents a technological step forward for Sarawak, and both the councils and operator are committed to improving the system together so that the public can use it confidently and comfortably. — DayakDaily
