Hogging of parking bays an offence – Penguang

Datu Dr Penguang Manggil

SIBU (May 15): Action can be taken for obstructing public passage including at parking bays under the Cleanliness By-Laws 1999, says Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.

“It (parking bay) is a public place. Most councils with no parking order will use (Cleanliness By-Laws Section) 18(1)(a), or (b) of the Cleanliness By-Laws.

“Parking bay is within the ambit of definition of ‘footway’ and has been gazetted for the purpose as such for public use. The definition of ‘footway’ includes the public passage way of any building and verandah-ways at the side of any building or road,” Penguang explained.

The Marudi assemblyman stated that penalty for placing objects to ‘reserve’ parking bay is a fine of RM1,500 for the first offence and RM3,000 for subsequent offence, or nine months imprisonment, or both when asked on action local councils can take for hogging of public parking bays.

File photo shows Sempurai pointing to shopping carts blocking parking bays at a supermarket during a spot check on Sibujaya Commercial Centre.

Recently, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) fined a business operator in Selangau for using baskets to ‘reserve’ parking bays.

When contacted yesterday, SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Neglai revealed that placing objects to ‘reserve’ parking spaces has become rampant in areas under SRDC.

“The council will not tolerate such selfish attitude of business operators who ‘reserve’ parking bays for the public,” Sempurai stressed.

“Last year, I led an operation to warn business premises not to put any objects at the parking space unless they have obtained permit from the council.

“This practice is not only selfish on the part of business owners but also create feeling of unfairness and anger among the public,” he said, adding that such practise happened in Sibujaya and Selangau Bazaar.

He assured that the council will work together with the master developer in Sibujaya, local elected representatives to do proper planning for more parking spaces or create parking lots at open spaces with approval from the State Planning Agency’s (SPA).

“SRDC will continue to issue compound under Cleanliness By-Law for the obstruction of parking bays,” Sempurai stated.

from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/33HqWfn
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