PBS feels the existing rates in these three locations are justified, given their popularity among motorists and shopowners alike as they encourage quick turnovers in parking space, thus benefiting all.

However, the party said rates at all other parking lots should be similar to those rates charged by the KK Car Parks Sdn Bhd previously, the base rate of which was 21 sen.

It detailed these particulars in a memorandum signed by PBS President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan submitted to the Special Committee on Parking Rates and Garbage Collection in KK chaired by Datuk Masidi Manjun on Monday.

Pairin said PBS believed it is not an appropriate time for City Hall to charge for parking in Telipok and Menggatal. Collection should also be put on hold at Damai, Foh Sang, Sembulan and Tanjung Aru until the economy gets better, he added.

It is also unreasonable for fees to be charged to park in areas that have only one or two rows of shops but which, for all intents and purposes, are part of residential areas, he said. The party pointed to the New Emperor Restaurant, Luyang Restaurant and shops opposite the State Archives, among others as typical examples.

Pairin said it was also the view of PBS that the cost of seasonal parking tickets be reduced from the existing RM80 to RM50 for the town centre and RM50 to RM25 in other areas to make these more affordable.

“This is important because it affects those workers who are on low levels of fixed income but have no choice and have to park their cars on long term basis,” he said.

Pairin said the time was not ripe for City Hall to earn much revenue from parking lots in the city due to the relatively sluggish economy at the moment.

“Indeed, we understand the need for Dewan Bandaraya of Kota Kinabalu (City Hall) to obtain as much income as possible but we are also of the view that the policy of deriving large sums of revenue from the parking lots is still not appropriate at the moment,” he said.

Many motorists are finding it a burden having to pay such high rates, he said, adding that PBS had also raised the matter during its recent congress.

Pairin emphasised that PBS’ views were based entirely on the fact that it had obtained first hand information and feedback from the rakyat through “tens of thousands of party supporters and workers, including our wakil rakyat for the Tanjung Aru parliamentary constituency, Api-Api, Sembulan and Inanam State constituencies”.

PBS hopes that serious consideration would be taken on its views when the carpark review committee decides on fixing the city’s new parking rates.

“We are of the firm belief that a favourable rate of charging for carparks that is both affordable and user friendly to the people is paramount. In doing so, it will also show that the BN government is a caring government,” said Pairin.