KK motorists confused over new parking compound system, says consumer association

KOTA KINABALU: Motorists in the city are getting confused with the shifting system employed by Kota Kinabalu City Hall for parking fee compounds.

Sabah West Coast Smart Consumers Association president David Chan said that the coupon system to pay for the compounds issued for "unpaid time" seems to have changed without any notification by the operators.

"Motorists who usually paid up the summons for the unpaid parking time using the value of the coupons within a week, now are being charged a RM10 fine immediately,” he said.

In the past, when one overshot the alloted parking time by an hour (example), he just needs to pay the one hour worth of parking fees owed, which is about RM1 depending on where they are.

"But now, many motorists have complained about the sudden change in the system to pay RM10 (as a fine) instead of paying with coupon cards, which was the general practice," Chan said.

"Why was there no announcement? It is unfair for motorists," he said.

He said that Kota Kinabalu City Hall and its parking operators "cannot and should not" be changing systems that are in place without giving due warning and explanation to the public.

Chan also stressed that the previous system to pay compounds by parking coupons within a week for motorists whose parking time expired should be maintained.

"Most motorists who are unable to update their parking coupons for whatever reasons should be given the opportunity to pay up the outstanding hours through coupons within the week.

"They should not be immediately slapped with the RM10 fine. It is totally unfair," he said.

Chan said the consumer association had been receiving complaints about the matter and they were also told to make appeals through websites to get it lessened.