Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) should look into the worsening illegal collection of parking fees and that the authorities must act now.

Penang has limited parking space and due to the incapability of the Pakatan Penang government in addressing the problem of parking space, the issue has since become worse. Penangites not only have to face serious traffic congestion, but they have to fight for parking space too and now pay hefty illegal parking fees.

The illegal collection of parking fees does not happen overnight and it has worsened. We can see how municipal council parking lots are being occupied by illegal car park operators, who are exploiting government resources to make money, by offering to “protect” drivers' cars, resulting in motorists having to pay for coupon parking and the extra illegal parking fees.

Although the Penang government on Jan 1, 2014 had replaced the car park operator system to the coupon system, this had instead resulted in all sorts of issues like a lack of coupon-selling outlets and insufficient signboard for the aforementioned outlets.

The insufficient stocks for the parking coupon has caused a shortage and MPPP has had no choice but to offer free parking on the island.

The Penang government has no comprehensive planning in introducing the parking coupon system and that has upset Penangites and ended the livelihood of car park operators. The rampant collection of illegal parking fee has burdened the people, but there is no solution at all from the state government. Instead, it chooses to be apathetic and to let the problem grow.

Does Lim understand the troubles faced by Penangites such as traffic congestion, insufficient parking lots and illegal collection of parking fees whilst he relaxes comfortably in his air-conditioned office and rides around in luxury car, as well as park his car at any corner in Penang?

Therefore, Lim must act now and address the issue instead of continuing to blame the previous state government over his own incapability.

MICHAEL LEE is Penang MCA Youth chairperson and national MCA Youth treasurer.