BN leader against Penampang parking fee proposal

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PENAMPANG: It is still quite premature to introduce the parking payment system here, said district Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Donald Mojuntin.

He said various factors needed to be considered first, including the people of Penampang’s unhappiness with the work carried out by the local government in Penampang.

“For now, I do not want the people here to panic, although the effort should be implemented for the good of the district, it is still too early to be implemented.

“Aside from that, the community is also not satisfied with the services rendered by the council, such as its garbage collection, drainage issue and also the flooding incidents,” he said at the launch of the Malaysian Book of Record 2017 ‘largest old books collection project’ held at SM St Michael yesterday.

Donald also cited the economy as another reason the parking payment should not be implemented yet.

“The parking payment should be introduced when the country achieved its high income status since by then, the people would have enjoyed better economies,” he said, adding a meeting had taken place between officers from the District Office and were told that notices had been issued concerning the proposal.

He said those unhappy with the proposal should come up with their own inputs within two weeks of the issuance of the notice.

“Any rejection or proposals from the public will be taken into consideration in the effort to introduce the system,” he said.

Donald also said the local government would create a committee where those rejecting the proposal would be able to justify their rejection.

Opposition leaders are also against the proposed introduction of parking fees at major commercial areas in Penampang, particularly Donggongon new township.

Terrence Siambun of Parti Warisan Sabah and PKR Penampang Chief Kenny Chua said the timing is bad considering the current economic situation that has been burdening people in the low and medium income bracket.

District Officer Luvita Koisun later clarified that the council is not going to enforce the parking fees after the 14-day notice on intention to enact Provision of Parking Places By-laws but all objections are welcome.

She said any by-law introduced by a council must be displayed to give chance for the community to give their comments, opinions or objections before it can be gazetted and implemented.

“We do not propose and immediately implement but must go through many processes in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),” she said.