THE Kedah Consumers Association (CAKE) has described the RM400 parking fee allegedly imposed by the Baling District Council (MDB) as “exorbitant and oppressive”, especially for small-scale traders selling affordable goods.
Its president, Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff, said the fee was unreasonable considering that many vendors only operate for a few hours and cater to low-income consumers.
“A RM400 charge just for a parking spot for several hours is excessive. What Faiz has voiced is something we should all listen to.
“If rental for a stall space is going to cost as much as — or more than — a spot in a shopping mall, how are small traders supposed to offer affordable prices? This seems like a deliberate move to crush small businesses,” he said in a statement today.
He also questioned why such a high rate is being charged in Baling, noting that other local authorities impose far lower fees for similar trading spaces.
“We hope the authorities investigate this. A charge like this is nothing short of daylight robbery,” he said.
The controversy erupted on social media after local entrepreneur Faiz Aizif alleged he was charged RM400 for a single parking bay in Baling.
The issue gained further traction after influencer and business owner Khalieda Yusra, also known as Kieda, claimed her team had experienced similar treatment.
In a video posted to her Instagram account, she recounted how her team was ordered to vacate the spot despite having already set up a canopy and food items, with customers beginning to queue.
It is understood that in many other districts, parking space rental costs range between RM60 and RM140 — significantly lower than what was allegedly charged in Baling. - September 13, 2025
