Kampar, November 5 (J-on) - The collection of parking fees for the land outside of UTAR east gate was illegal as it did not receive approval from Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDK).

The developer who owns the land started charging students RM1 per entry July this year as well as issuing a 6-month parking pass for RM60 in the name of Delscon Properties Sdn. Bhd.

Hamishah Ahamed, legal assistant with the Legal Unit in MDK said that Delscon Properties' application for a parking permit was brought up in a recent meeting and it was decided that it would not be approved.

"MDK has already verbally informed the company that its request was rejected. I'm not certain if an official letter has been sent to them, but it will be done," she said.

"If they want to make a parking, they need to register with the Ministry of Finance and ensure proper facilities," she added.

When asked if the company had a right to draw parking lots along the main road into UTAR east gate entrance, Hamishah pointed out that the road will only come under MDK's jurisdiction after the company hand over the road when the area is fully developed.

The developer has stopped collecting parking fees since Monday but students who have purchased 6-month passes in July are now left in a limbo.

MDK denied that it had any hand in the developer's abrupt stopage in collecting parking fees but said that it is now a matter between students and the developer.

"Since the company has stopped collecting fees, it means that they are complying with MDK rules, so it is now up to the students and developer to deal with the matter," said Hamishah.

Carrie Chen, a second year Banking and Finance student who purchased a 6-month pass expresssed surprise over the incident and criticised the developer for not making improvements to the land despite collecting parking fees.

“I feel they are cheating our money. I hope that SRC can do something for us because they are the one that always deal with them.” she said.

According to Chen, she expects developer to refund at least RM 20 for November and December.

Another second year Accounting student, Wong Wai Qing said that she only found out the developer stopped collecting fees from UTAR guards.

“They don’t have any responsibility on this matter.” said Wong.

“I want a refund back and hope UTAR can have an appropriate parking slot," she added.

When contacted, Student Representative Commmittee (SRC) chairperson Oh Chin Eng said that SRC is in the process of collecting information from the students.

When they started collecting fees, we were given a verbal agreement that the land will be fixed last semester break, but its still the same and then they suddenly stop collecting fees but the stickers are meant for 6 months and students are feeling cheated," he said.

"We encourage students who have purchased the stickers to post their details on SRC's facebook page so we can compile for further action," added Oh.

J-on also contacted Delscon Properties' office yesterday however there was no suitable representative available who could comment on the issue.