KOTA KINABALU: With the public’s demand for lower parking fees in the semi-rural Penampang district, it is hoped that the rates will be reduced next year.
Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick is aware that the residents and business community, especially traders, are unhappy with the situation.
“I have listened to Penampang residents and consumers, and I have passed on my views to the Penampang Municipal Council (MPP) president.
“I know that the president as well as the council have listened to the people, and hopefully next year, the parking fees can be reduced as we are aware of the present economic challenges,” he said after an event in Penampang on Wednesday.
The charges, which came into effect in July, vary according to the colour code of the parking bay.
Penampang folk felt that the 75sen half-an-hour or RM1.50 for one hour parking rate for yellow lots is too high. A similar parking bay in Kota Kinabalu is RM1 per hour or 50sen for every 30 minutes.
Leaders from both sides of the political aisle had previously raised the issue.
In August, a non-governmental organisation, along with several business owners, held a peaceful picket, calling the fees “unreasonable” and demanding the MPP review the rates.
Following that, in October, MPP president Francis Chong said they were reviewing and considering lowering the parking fees in certain areas.
Benedick said he supported the MPP’s initiative in looking for new revenue sources, including from parking fees, but it must listen to feedback from those affected by the charges.
He added that the MPP received a suggestion to expand the number of blue parking lots, each costing 30sen per hour.
Benedick, who is Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, said the charges were fixed before he became the MP.
“That is why I am asking for the newly elected members of the MPP to carefully consider the views of the people,” he added.
Earlier, Benedick presented canopies worth RM66,000 to 434 local traders at the temporary tamu (traditional market) in Donggongon town.
The traders were moved to a site near the Datuk Peter Mojuntin monument to allow work on the actual tamu grounds just metres away in Donggongon.
Benedick hopes the upgrading work on the actual Donggongon tamu grounds, costing RM8.5mil, will be completed according to schedule and within his term as MP after it was delayed for some time.
