Sibu: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has been urged to improve its SMC Cares system before fully phasing out physical parking coupons and implementing a comprehensive electronic parking system.
Special Assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, Irene Wong, said the move is necessary to safeguard the welfare of elderly residents who do not own smartphones, are unfamiliar with digital systems, or lack access to online banking services.
She noted that SMC’s physical parking coupons will cease to be valid from June 30 as part of the council’s transition to a fully electronic parking management system. While digitalisation is in line with current trends, she said it has also created challenges for some senior citizens.
“Many elderly residents are still unfamiliar with using the SMC Cares application, particularly when it comes to topping up credits, linking bank cards and making online payments.
“Some do not have internet banking accounts, while others are only beginning to learn how to use smartphones and are worried about making mistakes when using the system,” she said in a statement.
Wong said the P.212 Sibu Service Centre has received numerous complaints and requests for assistance from senior citizens since the introduction of the smart parking system.
According to her, many of them are not opposed to technology but are concerned about their ability to keep pace with rapid digital transformation and fear being left behind as society becomes increasingly digital.
In response, Wong proposed that SMC introduce a “family linkage” feature within the SMC Cares application.
“The feature would allow elderly vehicle registration numbers to be linked to the SMC Cares accounts of their children or family members, enabling parking payments to be made automatically or on their behalf,” Wong said.
She also called on the council to strengthen support measures by setting up mobile counters or customer service centres in high-traffic parking areas to assist elderly users with payments and provide hands-on guidance.
“Some elderly residents do not own smartphones, some have phones without internet access, and others do not know how to use e-wallets at all.
“If society moves towards full digitalisation without adequate support, senior citizens will become increasingly marginalised and feel left behind by modernisation,” she said.
Wong stressed that while efforts to develop a smart city and advance digitalisation policies are important, social inclusivity must remain a priority to ensure that no segment of society is excluded due to technological barriers.
