Api-Api rep calls for review of Sabah Smart Parking fines, proposes RM10 starting rate

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Api-Api assemblyman Loi Kok Liang has urged the Sabah government to review parking fine rates in Kota Kinabalu, proposing that the initial fine be reduced to RM10 to ease the burden on motorists.

“Currently, fines start at RM30, increase to RM100 if unpaid within seven days, and can reach RM300 the following month,” he said.

“The amount of RM300 is almost 20 per cent of the minimum wage of RM1,700, and this is extremely burdensome for motorists,” he added.

Speaking during his debate at the State Legislative Assembly, Loi said he was voicing long-standing concerns raised by urban residents, particularly those in Kota Kinabalu, who rely on private vehicles for work and daily activities.

Aside from reducing the initial parking fine rate, Loi also urged the Sabah government to allocate funds to upgrade the Sabah Smart Parking application by adding a continuous sound notification feature before parking time expires, so that users have the opportunity to renew payment in a timely manner and reduce fines caused by negligence.

He also appealed to the government or DBKK to increase the number of green parking bays or monthly parking spaces throughout Kota Kinabalu.

“I have received many complaints that green parking bays are very difficult to find, forcing users to park in yellow or red bays with very high charges simply to avoid being late for work,” he said.

At the same time, Loi also urged the relevant authorities to address the issue of beggars in the city.

“In the city centre and at major road intersections, there are children of unknown identity begging, some even carrying babies, moving amidst heavy traffic to beg,” he said.

He added that this situation not only endangers safety, but also affects the image of Kota Kinabalu city and negatively impacts tourists’ first impressions of Sabah.

He also said that tourism development is not merely about bringing tourists in, but about ensuring that they feel safe and confident to remain in Sabah.

“At present, however, the city centre still faces issues such as begging, inadequate street lighting, serious blocked manholes, limited CCTV coverage, and incidents where tourists have been injured by air-gun shootings,” he said.

He added that if these issues are not addressed seriously, tourist confidence will be difficult to build.

“I appeal for budget allocations to be used to provide solutions to the issues I have raised, so that the objectives of increasing tourist confidence, sense of safety, and satisfaction can be achieved, thereby allowing Sabah’s tourism industry to continue to grow and progress.”