Not right time for parking fees: Donald

Penampang: Most people here are in no mood to be loaded with another burden of having to pay parking fees as current life challenges are already too much for them, said Penampang Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Donald Mojuntin.The current economic glut and unsatisfactory level of local government delivery services, he said, are among factors that have cast a gloomy feeling among people across the board, and to burn a bigger hole in their pockets now can be a huge mistake.

He did not rule out the possibility of BN in the district being punished again in the coming election, if the parking fee proposal is implemented.

"To be honest, it will affect the BN's chances to win back the seats (in Penampang) because there's no way to justify it during this time as the people are already suffering," he said after officiating the ceremony to announce SM St Michael's entry into the Malaysia Books of Records for having collected the most number of old books.

Donald, who is also Upko Secretary-General, said the time was not opportune to implement parking fees in the district.

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He said the Government should instead focus on creating good feelings among the people.

"At the moment, there's nothing much for them to feel good about. The world as well as our country are experiencing an economic glut. (Despite this), there's been effort by the Government to create a high income population. Perhaps we should wait for all the policies and programmes implemented to take effect first and let the people feel what it's like to earn a high income," he said.

He was asked for his views on the public notice put up at the Penampang District Council regarding a proposal to implement a parking fee system in the district. The putting up of the public notice is standard operation procedure to allow the people to give their opinion, objections or solutions on the proposal.

It will be put up for two weeks during which time anyone can give their response.

It is learnt that so far, most people have submitted their objections, including a signature campaign to oppose the proposal.

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But according to Donald, there is no reason for anyone to panic over the exercise at this stage.

"It's just a standard process, so I don't want the people to panic. It doesn't mean it will be implemented because I believe this is a long process. All the views will be taken and those who object will be given the chance to justify their objections," he said. - Leonard Alaza

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