By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, July 25 — Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari has poured cold water on his predecessor Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali's offer of free parking in northern Selangor if Perikatan Nasional (PN) gains state power.
The state Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) chairman said this pales in comparison to the slew of policies and welfare programmes that have already been implemented by the ruling coalition in Selangor.
He also expressed confidence that voters will take this into their consideration when casting their ballot in the August 12 state election.
"The Harapan-led state government offers development and job opportunities to the rakyat, but that (free parking) is all he (Azmin) can offer?
"It's fine, let him offer the free parking. But he should remember the repercussions of such a policy," Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying after officiating the Kota Puteri Green Industrial Park in Gombak today.
According to Amirudin, if the policy is implemented, the state government would have to pay compensation to concession companies currently offering the paid parking services.
He pointed out that the state had inked an agreement with several concessionaires on the parking charges prior to 2008.
"These companies can sue the state government if it fails to compensate them for implementing the free parking.
"He (Azmin) knows about this but yet dare make such a promise. Let it be. After all, it is his promise to the people of northern Selangor."
Azmin was reported to have said, during PN's machinery launch for the Permatang constituency on Sunday night, that the coalition would do away with parking charges in northern Selangor if it wins the state election next month.
The Selangor PN chairman described it as merely "a small matter" that can be implemented, going by his experience leading the state as menteri besar previously.
