Kuala Lampur, Sept. 3 -- The recent controversy over the use of automatic number plate recognition, or ANPR, for parking enforcement in Penang has understandably upset many motorists.

Among the complaints were that motorists were given too little time to pay for parking before being issued a compound. The system also could not always tell the difference between a vehicle that was parked illegally and one that had stopped briefly to pick up or drop off a passenger.

Thankfully, the state government subsequently suspended the use of ANPR for parking enforcement pending a review. Affected compounds were cancelled, while motorists who had already paid could seek refunds.

The episode exposed weaknesses in how the system was implemented. Howe...