KUCHING – More than 500 senior citizens have registered for the Elderly Easy Payment (EEP) scheme under Kuching’s new smart parking system, marking a strong early response to the city’s transition from paper coupons to digital payments.
The scheme, introduced for drivers aged 60 and above, is part of the Pay & Go Smart Parking System, which officially began its two-month transition period on 1 November 2025. The platform replaces the Kuching City Parking System (KCPS) that has been in use for two decades.
Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said registration counters at the MBKS headquarters are open on weekdays to assist the public.
“Our officers are available to help with registration and login matters. We want to ensure the transition is smooth and user-friendly, especially for senior citizens,” he explained during an inspection at Jalan Song Thian Cheok.
Wee also confirmed that motorists who purchased parking coupons between January and October this year are eligible for refunds, excluding the Sales and Service Tax (SST). Refunds can be claimed at the KCPS office.
Eddie Wee Teck Tong, managing director of Pay & Go, said the EEP scheme allows seniors to register once, either online or offline, after which their vehicle number plates are automatically recognised by enforcement teams using handheld scanners and e-bikes equipped with licence plate recognition (LPR) cameras.
“When our wardens scan the car plate, they will identify it as an elderly registered vehicle. Parking charges will then be deducted automatically. It is very convenient,” he said.
He added that the scheme also covers commercial car parks, including theSpring and Plaza Merdeka, making Kuching the first city in Malaysia and ASEAN to integrate council and private parking under one system.
“This is a unique achievement for Kuching, reflecting the teamwork of our community. No other city has done this,” he noted.
The new system also introduces flexibility not available under the coupon model. Users can stop their parking session early and receive refunds for unused time. For example, if a motorist books 1.5 hours but leaves after 40 minutes, the balance will be credited back to their account.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who inspected the system alongside other officials, said Kuching residents would adapt quickly, just as they did with QR scanning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At first, many people said they could not scan. But by the end of the pandemic, everyone could. The same will happen with this system,” he remarked.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, highlighted that the system will cover around 60,000 parking bays across Kuching, including 30,000 under MBKS, 7,000 under DBKU, and 20,000 from private operators.
He stressed that despite the technological upgrade, parking fees remain unchanged at 20 sen per half hour, the same rate maintained for the past 20 years. “Even laksa prices have gone up, but our parking fee stays the same,” he said, noting that this reflects the state government’s commitment to affordability.
The transition period will run until 31 December 2025, with full implementation beginning 1 January 2026. Motorists are encouraged to settle outstanding compounds, with MBKS offering a 50 per cent discount on fines until 30 November. Refunds for unused coupons purchased earlier this year must also be submitted by the same date.
Officials present at the site visit included Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and DBKU Mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman, underscoring the joint effort between state leaders, local councils, and private operators in modernising Kuching’s urban mobility.
Sources: The Borneo Post, Dayak Daily
