A man’s claim that he was charged an “unreasonable” RM100 fee for dropping off his mother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has sparked widespread discussion on social media over the airport’s drop-off rules.
In a post that went viral, the man accused Malaysia Airports of unfairly profiting from motorists after he was charged RM100 for remaining at the Terminal 1 drop-off area for 34 minutes.
According to his account, he had intended to simply drop off his mother as the airport was crowded and he did not plan to park. However, he said he ended up accompanying her inside the terminal and became “stuck”, only to be charged the penalty upon exiting the drop-off zone.
He questioned the charge, arguing that if 1,000 vehicles were penalised daily, it would generate significant revenue. He also described the enforcement as “cruel” and said he did not “halalkan” the money collected.
In response, KLIA clarified in the comments section that the area used was strictly designated as a drop-off zone, where vehicles are required to leave immediately after passengers alight.
The airport explained that the zone is monitored using the Vehicle Access Management System (VAMS), which detects vehicles that remain for more than 10 minutes. The system, KLIA said, was implemented to reduce traffic congestion, ensure smoother passenger movement, and prevent vehicles from lingering in high-traffic lanes.
KLIA stressed that the RM100 charge was a penalty for overstaying, not a parking fee.
The airport also advised drivers who require more time to use alternative options, including short-term parking at Terminal 1, where the first 15 minutes are free, long-term parking with the first 30 minutes free, or public waiting areas that are free of charge.
Many netizens pointed out that the man had violated the clearly stated drop-off conditions, noting that warning signs are prominently displayed around the airport. Others said drivers who wish to accompany family members inside the terminal should park properly instead of using the drop-off lane.
Several users also shared that they had recently used the same drop-off zone without issues and said the signage regarding time limits and penalties was clearly visible.
