TAMBUNAN: Residents here are urging the Tambunan District Council (MDT) and Road Transport Department (JPJ) to step up monitoring and enforcement against business operators who reserve public parking bays for private use.
The call follows complaints that some shop operators place objects such as plastic chairs, stools, bins and boxes in public parking bays to prevent other motorists from using the spaces, allegedly reserving them for themselves, their customers or business activities.
A check around town found an orange plastic chair placed in an otherwise vacant parking bay between two vehicles.
The practice has inconvenienced motorists already struggling to find parking, particularly on Thursdays when the weekly tamu attracts more traders and visitors, adding to traffic congestion.
A local resident, who wished to be identified only as John, 42, said the issue had persisted for a long time without firm action from the authorities.
“The parking bays in this area are public facilities provided for everyone’s use. This is especially important on tamu days, when people come to town and struggle to find parking.
“However, the actions of some traders who seem to regard the parking bays in front of their premises as private property are highly inappropriate and irresponsible,” he said.
John said motorists were often forced to circle the town several times in search of parking, while bays blocked with chairs and other objects remained vacant.
He said the authorities should take firm action against those responsible to ensure public parking facilities remained accessible to everyone.
Residents hope enforcement action, including the issuance of compounds where applicable, will deter the practice and restore fair access to public parking for Tambunan residents and visitors.
