TAWAU: Two multi-storey car parks have been planned at Fajar here under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to resolve the shortage of car parks and to overcome the traffic congestion in the town here.
Tawau Municipal Council president Ismail Mayakob said he had submitted the request for funding for the projects to the government.
He will also discuss the request to increase parking spaces in the district with the appropriate ministry.
Ismail disclosed this when receiving a delegation from the Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce led by Datuk Yap Yiw Sin yesterday morning.
The chamber presented a memorandum to the council on the severe shortage of car parks in Tawau and submitted suggestions to alleviate the problem.
Yap, speaking on behalf of the chamber, suggested to the council to decline any offer submitted by developers for monetary compensation in exchange for the provision of car parks when submitting their development plans for approval despite being allowed under the building by-laws.
“We feel it is the council’s right and prerogative to insist on the incorporation of car parks on the developers in view of the acute shortage of parking spaces in Tawau.
“Besides, the council should facilitate the construction of multi-storey car parks either by applying for funds to build these complexes or to invite the private sector to carry out the project either on a joint venture basis or by privatization,” Yap pointed out.
According to him, Tawau’s physical expansion and development is rapid. Traffic hold-ups and jams caused by indiscriminate parking and drivers making rounds looking for parking spaces is inevitable with the increasing number of vehicles. The situation is further aggravated by the shortage of car parking facilities.
It is important to carry out an analytical evaluation before building any multi-storey car parks. The number of car parks should remain the same.
The chamber also suggested to the council to buy over existing empty lots to increase the number of car parks.
Touching on the car parks at the old town area, Ismail said it is impossible to build more car parks in the area due to the limited space unless the area is wide enough to accommodate a basement area for a car park.