This article made a mistake when it mentioned that free parking for disabled people in Penang is the first of its kind in the country. Selangor implemented this policy some time in September 2009.
NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS :: Local News
Free parking for disabled in Penang
Wong Wooi KeanGEORGE TOWN (Jan 14, 2010): All registered physically disabled persons in Penang will be allowed free public parking throughout the island in a new ruling, the first of its kind in the country, by the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP).
The MPPP has decided to issue special purple car-stickers, to be renewed after two years, for disabled individuals who can drive and for guardians of those who cannot.
The ruling, which does not cover the deaf and the blind, took effect today.
Councillor Tan Hun Wooi said those who have already registered with the Social Welfare Department qualify to apply immediately. Those who have not registered yet are encouraged to do so to be eligible.
“We encourage the disabled to apply for these special stickers for their convenience,” he said. The first batch of stickers will be issued by the end of this month, he added.
Tan said this at a press conference at the Caring Society Complex here today.
The MPPP has been receiving calls to increase the number of bays for the disabled, and decided to tackle the problem by going one step further in giving out stickers for free public parking throughout the island.
Of the 11,000-odd parking bays under the MPPP, only 15 are currently reserved for the disabled.
In the meantime, the MPPP will still go ahead with plans to increase the number of disabled bays, so as to give the disabled greater convenience in finding available parking.
Tan also warned the general public not to park their vehicles in places reserved for the disabled.
Society of Disabled Persons Penang president, Teh Lay Kuan, said she was grateful to the local authorities for initiating the new purple-sticker ruling.
According to the Welfare department, there were 15,611 registered disabled people in the state.
“We often find people who are inconsiderate when they park at parking lots meant for the disabled, causing us inconvenience,” she added.
Applications for the stickers can be made at the MPPP’s office on the 15th floor of Komtar here. For details, call 04-2592130.
this is monumental. well done penang state!
Peter:
I would not call it monumental. 15 out of 11,000 parking bays is a mere drop in the ocean. The Selangor government has not been able to ensure that these parking spaces are strictly for the use of disabled people only after issuing similar stickers a few months ago. Most of the time the designated parkings were occupied by vehicles without these stickers, were neither driven by non-disabled drivers nor had disabled passengers. There is absolutely no enforcement to prevent abuse of these facilities.
I saw one in front of the Burmah House (Maybank & RHB Bank) of Pulau Tikus. It’s empty but unfortunately blocked by a car parked outside the parking lot.
Peter:
This is always the case. People just do not care. There are two at Upper Penang Road, maybe two at Beach Street and one outside Sunshine Square Bayan Baru which are usually occupied. I am also interested to know where the rest of the 15 parking spaces are.