Surabaya DPRD demands closure of parking spots if cash payments are still accepted

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the Surabaya Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Arif Fafhoni has requested that parking spots be closed if the parking attendants managing them continue to accept cash payments, following the current implementation of parking digitalisation in Surabaya. “Every parking spot on public roadsides and at business premises or eateries must no longer accept cash payments. Everything must be cashless or non-cash to curb parking revenue leaks and ensure greater accountability,” he said in Surabaya on Thursday. He explained that business owners must foster collective awareness to properly implement the city government’s policy, rather than only sanctioning parking attendants. Toni, as Arif Fathoni is known, believes that parking business operators will understand the non-cash parking policy, recalling that they have long been able to educate their children and improve their family’s welfare from parking revenues. According to him, the non-cash parking programme in Surabaya has been socialised for April 2026, but its on-the-ground implementation still poses many risks. However, in line with religious teachings, choose that which has lesser harm and greater benefit,” Toni stated. He explained that parking digitalisation is an effort by the Mayor of Surabaya to untangle the persistent parking problems that have never been resolved under previous leaderships. “This also addresses the public’s concerns over the problematic parking issues in Surabaya,” he said. “I am confident that in the end, everyone will move to agree because the will of the broader public with greater benefits is the highest law for a leader,” Toni added. This DPRD leader hopes for collaboration among all regional government organisations (OPD), with the Transportation Agency needing to synergise with all OPDs, including the Government and Social Welfare Division, so that sub-district heads and village heads are also proactive in socialising the non-cash parking policy to the community. “We hope the Surabaya City Government invites community leaders to work together harmoniously. For the ultimate goal of this policy is the greatest benefit for the community,” he said.