Yee Tsai Yiew
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) has been urged to consider reallowing motorists to purchase parking coupons to offset the mandatory RM10 fine for parking exceeding the time limit.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Api-Api Division Information Chief Yee Tsai Yiew said the current practice of immediately imposing the RM10 fine for the offence is rather unfair and causing dissatisfaction amongst motorists.
“As a resident of Kota Kinabalu, I believe I represent many affected individuals. Firstly, I want to make it clear that I support efforts to improve the parking situation in Kota Kinabalu and ensure the safety of the city’s residents. However, I cannot remain silent when an issue adversely affects the interest of the general public,” she said in a statement today.
Fully understanding the City Hall’s efforts to address the parking difficulties, Yiew however stressed that fines are not the best solution to the problem.
She stressed that motorists should have been informed beforehand on changes that affect them, and it is the local authorities responsibility to clearly communicate these changes.
“Any sudden changes will no doubt deepen people’s dissatisfaction towards the local authority.
“I would strongly request the DBKK to thoroughly consider its policy by reinstating the old practice that allows motorists to purchase parking coupons to replace the mandatory RM10 fine to ease the people’s burden,” she said.
She emphasised that the role of the local authorities is to create better living conditions for the general public, not to increase their burdens.
Yiew also believes that City Hall must work together with the public to create a fairer and more convenient parking environment for the city.
“I understand that implementing the digital parking system takes time. However, during this period, the interests of the people should be considered, especially in the current challenging economic situation, and practices that trigger public grievances should be avoided,” she said.
Yiew claimed the DBKK has recently decided to reinforce the mandatory RM10 fine for exceeding time limit, without proper public notification, causing many to be affected and the city dwellers no longer allowed to replace fine with the purchase of parking coupons.
