The system scans number plates to detect unpaid parking fees in real-time and issues compound fine notices without requiring officers to be physically present.

Notifications are sent directly to motorists through the Penang Smart Parking app, the sole platform for parking payments at council lots.

State local government, town and country planning committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the upgrade meant faster, smarter enforcement with fewer errors.

“This isn’t just a tech upgrade. It is (a shift in) how we manage urban parking with smart enforcement, full digitalisation and a commitment to the environment with fewer paper compound notices,” he told reporters at the Seberang Perai City Council.

Penang’s local councils – the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Perai City Council – will operate five ANPR units each.

Using optical character recognition, the ANPR system cross-checks number plates with the road transport department (JPJ) database.

If a vehicle is found to be parked illegally or without payment, H’ng said a compound fine notice would be instantly issued, with the owner’s details pulled directly from JPJ records.

He said the move would lower operating costs and potentially reduce manpower needs per patrol unit by 60%.