GEORGE TOWN – The administrator of the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) online system restored the parking payment service at around 6pm today after thousands of users complained that their apps revealed an account balance of RM4.40.
In an online post, the administrator said that the app was restored around 6pm and that by 6am tomorrow, all user accounts will display the actual amount.
Some users believe that the system, which works with the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Prai City Council, was hacked by certain quarters.
However, there has been no official response from both councils or the state government to such claims.
The system went online in 2019 and Penang was among the first states in the country to adopt digital payments for its council parking lots.
There are over 36,000 council parking bays throughout the state.
State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo, who oversees the local government portfolio, is expected to address the matter tomorrow when he officiates an event related to the PSP system.
Earlier, users received a rude shock when all balances across the board were reduced to RM4.40.
The PSP Hotline issued a statement on Facebook confirming that there has been a technical glitch.
It advised users to “not worry” if their e-wallet balances appear as RM4.40 in the app as it was facing technical issues and assured them that its team is fixing the matter.
“Rest assured that all users’ wallets remain secure, and balances are intact,” the statement read.
It also apologised to all users and requested that they remain patient.
Users had also taken to Facebook to voice their grouses, asking if payments made during the downtime will be waived, and what would happen if they were issued summonses. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
