600 protest decision to relocate bank branch
KOTA KINABALU: Approximately 600 signatures were collected from account holders and regular clients of Alliance Bank in protest against its proposed Damai branch relocation to Jalan Gaya.
According to consultant dermatologist Dr Melinda Tong, the signatures were collected from shop owners and employees in the Damai area alone, within a week.
“We wanted to go over to the hospitals near here to collect more signatures, but we didn't have the time.
“Most of the hospital staff are Alliance Bank account holders as well, and they have similarly expressed dissatisfaction over the proposed relocation,” she said.
Dr Melinda, who operates her dermatology practice in Damai, said the signatures were collected between November 9 and 16, after she received a letter from the bank notifying her of the move.
She added that she had only received the letter on November 6, although it was dated September 25.
The notification letter issued by Alliance Bank stated, among other things, “all of its branch operations, customer accounts and safe deposit box facility” will be moved from Damai to the Jalan Gaya branch, along with existing accounts and facilities, including account numbers.
Staff from one of the nearby hospitals, Sanford Chin, confirmed that hospital staff were outraged at the move.
He said there were hundreds of staff with accounts at the bank, who lamented the move as it would cause a major inconvenience.
Furthermore, Dr Melinda said, the move would have an adverse impact on people who are not mobile or able to travel a further distance for banking services.
Tan Yen Ling, an 83-year-old woman who works in Damai, said she protested the move as it would require her to go to town for something as simple as cash withdrawal.
“Even if they provide an Alliance Bank ATM here, I can't make any transactions because I don't know how to go about ATM services. People like me need manned counters to assist us,” she said.
However, former Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) Sabah chapter chairman Datuk Ho Jia Lit questioned the rationale behind the decision, given the existing clientele at the Jalan Gaya branch.
“Jalan Gaya customers are already complaining of service there. Can Alliance Bank service more customers if they move this Damai branch to Jalan Gaya?
“Parking is also a hassle along Jalan Gaya. It's a very busy area and is often congested. Moving all operations there is not practical and will only cause inconvenience.
“They are also saying they will move all safety deposit boxes, but can the Jalan Gaya branch accommodate all the ones from Damai?
“Due to the weight of the boxes, they usually have to be stored on the ground floor. This would mean some renovation is needed to make way for these additional boxes. Does this mean we then have to wait before they are able to service us?” Ho questioned.
He also emphasised the importance of banks to service out-of-town areas as most banks are already available in the city.
Banks need to service smaller rural areas out of town to help smaller business and cater to residential areas for convenience, he said.
Lawyer Dr David Fung shared Ho's sentiments, adding that banks have a social responsibility to the people.
“At the end of the day, the purpose of a bank is to serve the people. By moving to a further, more congested location, it will cause serious inconvenience.
“There is no reason for this (Damai) branch to say it is not doing well. We know it's doing well because this is a commercial and residential area, and there are hospitals and schools near here as well,” he said.
David added that CIMB Bank had recently opened a branch in Damai phase 1, which proves the need for banking facilities there.
A copy of the list of signatures collected has been submitted to Bank Negara here as well as the Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, along with a cover letter informing of clients' dissatisfaction over the proposed move.