Sibu Airport bustles with passengers arriving and departing. The relevant authority should beef up enforcement in areas with high traffic volume to curb illegal parking.
SIBU: The authority is serious about illegal parking, particularly in the vicinity of airports, said Local Government Assistant Minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.
“There’s no compromise on the matter,” he said yesterday when asked on measures taken to tackle illegal parking.
“Of course, there is compound but I do not know whether that’s effective. If you look at airports in Kuching and Miri – it’s not only double but triple parking.
“I think we should get the relevant authority to enforce the law consistently so as not to make a mockery of the system, especially at airports, which are entry points for foreigners and visitors coming to Sarawak. What would they think when they see parking in a mess – double or triple parking.
“That should be the first place to sort it out whoever is responsible… I think airports must not compromise – even major airports in Sibu, Miri and Kuching. The authority has to step up enforcement and be more consistent like western countries,” Penguang told The Borneo Post.
The Marudi assemblyman said enforcement done consistently will inculcate the habit of parking vehicles properly.
He noticed that some people are always looking to park their vehicle right at their destination, for example, in front of a shop, at the expense of others.
“I keep saying that we still have a Third World mentality like throwing out rubbish from cars, and overtaking at one’s whim and fancy without regard for the safety of other road users,” he said.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said the problem of illegal parking in Sibu Jaya was still manageable.
“I can say it is rather indiscriminate than illegal parking. Most of the time the congestion of certain roads at Sibu Jaya Commercial Centre can be attributed to selfish drivers who park at the roadside, which hampers the smooth flow of traffic,” Sempurai said.