KOTA KINABALU: The issue of parking charges in the Penampang district near here has heated up with a consumer group further questioning the rationale behind the decision to impose such fees.
National Consumer Foundation Sabah chairman David Chan said the significantly higher rates in the semi-rural district compared to the bustling Kota Kinabalu city was especially concerning.
“This raises a pressing question about the fairness and justification behind such a pricing structure,” he said, in a statement on Saturday (Aug 10).
“We believe that parking fees should be consistent and reasonable, reflecting the economic conditions and living standards of the area.
“The current disparity is not only unfair but also places an undue burden on the consumers of Penampang, many of whom rely on these parking facilities daily,” he added.
Chan said the charges will particularly hit local traders who operate at the market in Donggongon, which is home to Penampang’s town and district administration centre.
He said they relied on the open market for their livelihood, bringing their fresh vegetables and fruits, among others, there daily.
“For many, this is their primary source of income but the imposition of parking fees by the Penampang Municipal Council (MPP) poses a significant challenge, especially for those from the B40 income group who already face financial hardships.
“Many of these vendors come from rural areas, and not all have the means or knowledge to pay for parking via online methods,” he said.
The charges, which came into effect last month, vary according to the colour code of the parking bays.
People felt, however, the 75sen half-an-hour rate, or RM1.50 rate for one hour of parking, in the yellow lots was too high compared to similar parking in Kota Kinabalu which is RM1 per hour, or 50sen for every 30 minutes.
Leaders from both sides of the political aisle had also raised the issue before.
Penampang Upko Youth chief Billy Joe Dominic had previously urged the MPP to review the fees while Parti Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong questioned why the council chose a peninsula-based company to implement and collect the parking fees
As such, Chan urged Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also the state Local Government and Housing Minister, to clarify the rationale behind the charges.
“We urge the ministry to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that parking charges are fair and equitable for all consumers across the region.
“It is crucial that the local authorities consider the impact of these fees on the daily lives of consumers.
“We call upon the ministry to review and rectify this situation promptly to ensure that the consumers of Penampang are not disadvantaged compared to those in Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
