Kota Kinabalu: Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said City Hall (DBKK) will continue towing vehicles that block roads and walkways as a last resort, saying parking in the city centre is sufficient and motorists must use legal bays.
“DBKK is committed to professional, fair and consistent enforcement,” he said, calling on the public to follow parking rules for an orderly, safe and comfortable city.
He said in a statement, Sunday, that DBKK enforces parking rules, including towing, to keep roads and pedestrian paths free of obstruction and to protect public safety.
He said double parking and blocking traffic affect other road users and cause congestion. Areas that often draw complaints include Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu, Anjung Kinabalu, Sinsuran and the Safma night market.
He said compounds alone cannot clear an obstruction quickly when a vehicle is left unattended.
“Before towing, enforcement officers sound sirens and make announcements telling owners to move their vehicles. Towing goes ahead only if the instructions are ignored, and only to reopen the route,” he said.
He said parking facilities in the city centre are adequate overall, with 20,000 bays in total, including 4,005 public bays. KK Plaza has 452 bays at RM1 an hour and Menara Jubili has 276 bays at the same rate.
The Shore has 700 bays, Wisma Merdeka 750, Warisan Square 500 and Oceanus 800.
He urged the public to use legal parking and plan their journeys, pointing out that the wish to park near a destination is no excuse for blocking a route or breaking the rules.
The DBKK records show some owners of towed vehicles have unpaid compounds, in certain cases as many as 200 with a combined value of up to RM40,000. DBKK said this points to repeat offences and mounting liabilities.
Owners have been asked to contact the DBKK Enforcement Department promptly to claim their vehicles. Requests to pay in instalments and appeals to reduce large accumulated compounds can be considered.
He said DBKK has never auctioned a vehicle seized over a parking offence, although the relevant bylaw allows it subject to conditions and procedures.
Auctions so far have covered only derelict vehicles that were abandoned and dumped, to address problems of cleanliness, safety and use of public space.
Enquiries on towing, compound records, instalment requests or vehicle claims should go directly to the Enforcement Department, which will respond based on each case record.
