SMC Cares app users expected to reach 100,000 with smart parking rollout

SIBU (Jan 29): The number of registered users of the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Cares App has exceeded 30,000 since its launch in September 2025 with hundreds of new registrations recorded daily, said SMC engineer Tony Wong.

He said the figure is expected to surpass 100,000 users once the On-Street Smart Parking System is fully implemented.

“At present, we are still in the transition period during which both smart parking systems and physical parking coupons are accepted.

“This period is expected to end by June after which only the Smart Parking system will be fully implemented,” he told the full council meeting chaired by SMC chairman Clarence Ting here on Wednesday.

Addressing concerns involving senior citizens who are less familiar with mobile applications, Wong said the issue was not unique to Sibu but reflected a global trend in line with digitalisation.

“This is not solely an SMC policy but is aligned with national policy.

“Many public services no longer accept cash payments including at the Immigration Department.

“We need to adapt to these changes so that we are not left behind,” he said.

Wong added that the digital application allows family members or third parties to assist senior citizens in making parking payments or extending parking time remotely.

In addition, he said the new system has contributed positively to the collection of outstanding fines and penalty notices, as registered users receive direct notifications after data from the old system is migrated to the new platform.

“Monitoring over the past few weeks has shown a significant increase in outstanding payments, which is a positive sign for the recovery of council revenue,” he added.

He stressed that the implementation of smart parking is part of SMC’s efforts to achieve Smart City status, supported by various public awareness initiatives.