By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 11: Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has urged the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to automatically waive parking fines issued during the rollout of the town’s new parking system, saying motorists should not be penalised for problems arising from its implementation.
In a statement, he said motorists who received parking compounds between the first and ninth of the month due to issues with the new system should have their fines cancelled without having to submit individual appeals.
“Please take the initiative to review and improve the system instead of shifting the responsibility onto the public by requiring every citizen to submit applications or complaints one by one.
“Those responsible for implementing the system should proactively correct their own mistakes instead of making people repeatedly apply, explain themselves, or even ‘plead’ with the government for exemptions. A good policy should prioritise convenience for the people, not increase their burden,” he said.
Tiong, who is also the federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture and Bintulu MP, issued this statement following complaints raised by Sibu residents on the SMC Cares Smart Parking System, which were also brought up by Deputy Minister of Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang on Thursday (July 9).
He said some motorists were forced to pay for more parking than they actually used because the system requires a minimum 30-minute parking session. Even if a driver leaves earlier, the parking bay and vehicle registration remain locked until the paid period expires, preventing other motorists from using the space.
Tiong further suggested that the system should provide a reasonable grace period, like what is commonly implemented at shopping mall car parks, where motorists are usually given around 15 minutes of grace time.
At the same time, Tiong noted that not everyone is familiar with smartphone apps, particularly senior citizens, some of whom do not own compatible devices, and that local authorities should provide a transition period, along with adequate publicity, guidance and assistance, to help the public adapt before enforcing the new system.
In addition, he expressed concern over Sibu’s parking charges. He noted that the current parking fee in Sibu is approximately RM0.84 per hour, compared with around RM0.53 per hour in Bintulu and RM0.74 per hour in Kuching.
“Sibu is still administered by a municipal council, yet its parking charges are higher than those in Kuching, which has already been upgraded to city status. Whether this pricing is reasonable deserves further review.”
He cited Jalan Khoo Peng Loong, where many businesses involved in the trucking and heavy machinery industries are concentrated.
“This is not merely a commercial area but a long-established heavy industrial zone. Although parts of the area have undergone redevelopment in recent years, many factories, warehouses, and logistics companies continue to operate there. Every day, lorries need to load and unload cargo, transport goods, and carry out business operations.
“Therefore, the parking management system cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. It must also take into account the practical operational needs of industrial areas.”
“Policies should not be introduced first and only then expect people to adapt. Before implementation, the authorities must first listen to the people’s views, make adequate preparations, and provide proper guidance.”
Therefore, Tiong said that before implementing any policy, the authorities should engage with the public, businesses, and other stakeholders to understand the challenges they may face, while providing sufficient explanations and training to prevent unnecessary public dissatisfaction caused by poor communication. — DayakDaily
