MALACCA: In a twist on the road rage phenomenon, angry locals reportedly set a parking collection booth on fire at a commercial centre in Klebang.

The arson attack at 1.15am today was believed to be the work of nearby residents who had earlier complained that the parking fee was a burden, especially for those who wanted to go to the convenience store located in the commercial centre.

On Thursday, the same booth was pelted with stones and the attendant was warned not to collect the RM1 per entry fee. The collection starts from 8am to 10pm on a daily basis including on Sundays.

Chief Minister Adly Zahari told reporters on Thursday that the parking concessionaire issue will be reviewed but had not given any form of assurance that the collections would be stopped.

The parking collections started on Jan 1 without any prior notice or public announcement on the appointment of the concessionaires by Melaka Historic City Council.

Earlier, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong had a discussion with affected residents and businesses over at Puncak Malim here over the charges of RM2 parking fee for vehicles entering the commercial street.

Khoo urged the state to abolish the collections and privatising the parking lots.

However, Khoo's Facebook account was bombarded with a barrage of criticisms when locals vent their frustrations on the parking collections.

Community leaders also voiced out their discontent in a state government's WhatsApp group where members comprised executive councillors, local councillors, village heads and certain local media outlets.

Malacca had last June abolished parking collections at all four lots managed by the local councils during weekends and public holidays as part of the GE14 manifesto.