Waive parking compounds over six years old — MP

KOTA KINABALU: Member of Parliament here, Jimmy Wong Sze Phin has urged Kota Kinabalu City Hall to waive the parking compounds issued to motorists more than six years ago at the very least and emulate the Sandakan Munipical Council's February 15 parking system and fees.

In making the call here yesterday, Jimmy said the throngs of people turning up early for the RM10 amnesty at City Hall yesterday was a clear reflection of the chronic parking space issue in the city.

He said according to a newspaper daily report, there are around 800,000 compounds issued and DBKK should not expense the people's money just to drag them to court because of the compounds.

Jimmy described the current penalties as a heavy and draconian one and he reiterated his call for the local authority to review the parking coupon system.

"At least follow the example of the Sandakan council in view of serious economic and, in particular, the high parking fees in commercial red and green parking zones," he said.

"By right, any system introduced must be reviewed three years and adjusted according to change of circumstances. Even tenancies also practice reviews every three to five years," he added.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sabah Advisor also asked City Hall to make the parking coupons more accessible to motorists by making them available at supermarkets and popular coffee shops at Jalan Gaya and especially the Damai Plaza and Foh Sang areas, among other places.

"That will help to increase City Hall's revenues and lessen labour costs. The extra manpower should then be used to check for offenders," said Jimmy, stressing that manpower should be shifted to the enforcement department.

He said the Tawau Municipal Council had also mirrored Sandakan's move and City Hall should do the same.

The Sandakan Municipal Council recently announced its review on the red and green parking space coupon charges and operation timings that will take effect from February 15.

The new charge is RM1 for one hour compared to RM1 for 30 minutes previously and RM2 per hour for the green parking zone.

According to the council, the new changes were one of its efforts in improving its services for the public in Sandakan.