It's not recent at all. The ruling has been around like 15 to 20 years ago provided it's a paid parking. Iinm, one of the case was  a mall parking somewhere in KL. Was it imbi plaza, I can't recall. Car owner managed to get compensation for items in his car that was missing together with his car (car got stolen). The car itself is insured so parking lot operator didn't have to compensate the car itself . It was in the news when I was a student. Circa 1995-1999.

Free parking on the other hand yes, parking owner can be exempted from liabilities. I recall years ago got a case where car owner sues Tesco for damages his car suffered while being parked at Tesco parking lot. The court sided with Tesco as the parking area is free for all.

Depends where you park la and how you park. Also if you know who hit and run.

Only those who is willing drag to court

But I am sure most would go to a tribunal 1st to settle before dragging it out to court