Pakatan Harapan's Federal Territories lawmakers today met with Kuala Lumpur mayor Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz to protest the increased parking bay charges in the central business district (CBD).

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai questioned Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan's (YWP) role in managing the parking bays, noting that the foundation is headed by the federal territories minister.

"We were made to understand that this business was proposed by the foundation and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was 'forced' to agree," he told reporters at Menara DBKL in Kuala Lumpur after the meeting, which lasted about one hour.

The DAP acting national chairman also claimed that the increased charges would serve as a "cash cow" for the foundation.

"YWP is not a company that has experience in managing car parking," he said, alleging that the actual work would be outsourced to Umno-linked companies.

DBKL had last year appointed YWP, the welfare arm of the federal territories minister, to manage the city's parking system.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said Harapan lawmakers have requested the mayor to impose a moratorium on the increase, which could be as high as 200 percent.

"We are demanding for a moratorium and also a townhall session with all stakeholders to explain the rationale behind implementing the hike," said Nurul Izzah.

The PKR vice-president said it was unacceptable that such a decision was made without prior consultation with lawmakers in Kuala Lumpur as well as agencies in charge of regulating the public transport system.

Batu MP Tian Chua similarly said Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor should not have any influence over DBKL's decision in the matter.

"This is a burden to the people... Do not bow down to the minister," he said.

The lawmakers in a joint statement also said the hike was unreasonable due to the lack of connectivity for commuters using public transport.

Also present during the meeting were Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, Wangsa Maju MP Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli.

Effective yesterday, DBKL increased the parking charges by 150 percent in areas including Bukit Bintang, Sri Hartamas, Desa Hartamas, Bukit Damansara, Solaris Mont Kiara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar.

The parking charge for the first hour has increased from 80 sen to RM2, while the rate for the subsequent hours is now RM3 per hour.

Parking the whole day may now cost as much as RM32.

The new parking rate outside the CBD will be increased in stages until Aug 1.

Amin had previously said the move to increase the parking rates was not profit-driven but to ease traffic congestion and encourage carpooling in the city.

This was based on an estimated 3.5 million vehicles entering the city daily, from which 70 percent or 2.4 million comprise single-occupant vehicles.

Malaysiakini has contacted YWP for comment.