Since the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) app was introduced in August this year, Penangites have increasingly adapted to pay for e-wallet items.

Jagdeep Singh Deo, Chairman of the Committee for State Housing, Local Government and Towns and Country Planning, reported that, from August to November of this year, almost 50,000 RM was collected by the PSP for parking fees by the Penang Island Town Council (MBPP) and the Seberan Giant Perai City council (MBSP).

"However, the (PSP) user median has not been achieved because we still use the (paper parking) coupons simultaneously.

"With collection (parking) coupons on Penang Island, we have an average monthly of about RM 500,000," he said.

Jagdeep said e-payment would significantly increase for parking fees in Penang after the end of 2019 if parking coupons were not available for purchase anymore.

"The use of PSP will continue to increase after coupons have ceased to be used," he said.

In the meantime, Jagdeep also stated that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will recommend the introduction of the 5 G network to the PSP along with three other state-owned ventures.

The other three projects included the Penang Island closing-circuit television and analytics system, the SPARK in Seberang Perai and the Bayan Lepas street lighting system.

"We look forward to the evaluation of MCMC when choosing our 5 G demonstration projects as Penang is well positioned with the Smart City Initiative," he said.