Clamping Zones in George Town

A street in George Town, Penang (17 April 2011)


Law-abiding motorists in George Town, Penang, will be delighted that the Penang Municipal Council has designated a number of areas in George Town as clamping zones. With the menace of double parking and leaving vehicles along stretches where stopping is prohibited - let along parking - the news provides hope that the move will reduce congestion in the city.

The camping zones that will take into effect are: Motorists who park illegally will be given a one-minute warning, at the sound of a whistle. If they fail to drive away within one minute, their vehicle will be clamped. A fine of RM50 is meted for declamping. If the vehicle owner fails to show up within four hours, the council will tow it away. Owners wanting their vehicle back will have to pay RM150 towing charges and RM5 parking fee for each day the vehicle is in council custody.

As one who spent hours finding a proper parking lot only to have my car blocked by errant motorists afterwards, I welcome the move, although if I were a Penang municipal councillor, I would have taken more draconian measures.

Short of public beheading for errant motorists, I would be happy if we could do away with clamping, which I find not sufficiently effective in solving the problem of congestion, rather I would straight away tow any vehicle blocking the way or left unattended in a no-parking, no-stopping stretch.

In addition to the aforementioned areas, clamping zone should also include the stretch in front of Bukit Jambul Complex, the stretch of Jelutong Main Road near the Jelutong Market, and the stretch of Gottlieb Road in front of the Penang Chinese Girls' High School.