Kota Kinabalu: The relevant authorities are urged to review the status of the Foh Sang Multi-Storey Parking Building in Luyang to that of a free facility for public use.
SAPP Vice President Gee Tian Siong said public infrastructure designed to alleviate urban challenges like traffic congestion should prioritise the needs and welfare of the people, not serve as a source of revenue.
“The original and noble idea for this facility, envisioned in 1997 by social activist, SAPP member, and reputable engineer late Datuk Terence Chong Nyim Fatt, was fundamentally much better then what has been done now.
“Following thorough discussions with local residents and businesses, Chong’s proposal championed a free facility for the people of Luyang intended to serve the community, support local commerce, improve accessibility, reduce parking stress and offer ground-floor local authority services.
“These planned services included Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) counters for its fee collections, various licence renewals including dog licences requested by residents, and even a Pondok Polis (Police Beat Base),” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
“Since March 2025, the imposition of parking fees on a 24/7 basis within the facility, covering hourly, overnight and monthly rates, has created an unnecessary financial burden for the public,” he said.
“Furthermore, the fee charging structure suffers from a lack of transparency, particularly concerning overnight parking rules and monthly pass coverage, making motorists reluctant to use the facility.
“This misplaced focus extends beyond parking, as fees are now even being collected for toilet use within the building,” he said.
He claimed some 50 parking spaces previously available on the ground floor of the building site itself have been removed.
Some existing on-street parking spaces have even been replaced by flower beds, further diminishing availability.
“Furthermore, residents have lost the long-standing benefit of free parking previously available in the area during off office hours such as evening, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.
“All these irrational actions have worsened the car parking problem in Foh Sang and Bronion Centre. This situation actively drives people away from the Foh Sang/Bornion area,” he claimed.
He said the payment system contract was awarded to a non-Sabahan entity based in Kuala Lumpur.