By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 15: Local councils across Sarawak are best positioned to enforce regulations within their jurisdictions to address the growing problem of indiscriminate and illegal parking, particularly by commercial vehicles.
Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairman Michael Kong highlighted that local councils are empowered under Section 119(m) of the Local Authorities Ordinance to “do any act or take any such action as may be necessary to ensure the safety and convenience of the public on any public road in a local authority area”, making them the most effective body to act on the issue.
“It is unreasonable and impractical to place the burden solely on the Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak,” he stressed, pointing out that past enforcement attempts by JPJ in local authority areas had faced successful legal challenges.
“We strongly urge and seek the cooperation and commitment of all local councils to take proactive measures to curb the increasing problem of indiscriminate and illegal parking,” he said in a statement today following a meeting with representatives from all 26 local councils across Sarawak.
The session was aimed at tackling the increasingly serious issue of commercial vehicles being parked illegally in residential and urban areas, which poses risks to public safety, disrupts neighbourhoods, and causes road obstructions.
In the same meeting, CVLB Sarawak also urged local councils to improve the state of bus stops within their jurisdictions.
Kong said at a minimum, local authorities should install proper bus stands or signage to ensure bus stops are clearly marked and functional.
“As Sarawak continues to roll out key public transport initiatives such as the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) Kuching project, the Miri Smart Bus programme, and the upcoming Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system with its feeder bus network, it is vital that the necessary infrastructure like visible and accessible bus stops is in place,” he explained.
To further future-proof public transport accessibility, Kong proposed that local councils impose a mandatory requirement for all new housing and mixed-use developments to include the construction of bus stops.
This, he said, would help integrate public transport considerations into the early stages of urban planning.
“By ensuring new developments are aligned with transport infrastructure from the outset, we can create more efficient, connected, and commuter-friendly communities,” he said.
CVLB Sarawak reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with local councils and stakeholders to regulate commercial vehicle activity and enhance Sarawak’s public transport system for the benefit of all. — DayakDaily
