Motorists lament over parking lot businesses
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Second-hand cars on display at a parking lot near commercial buildings

Motorists said parking lots at commercial buildings should be free from second-hand car showrooms, product showrooms, container placements and other business set-ups.

They said efforts to turn such areas into business entities not only deprived motorists of precious parking spaces but also slowed down their mobility.

"Second-hand vehicles are placed not only at car park spaces but also along public roads.

"This practice has turned many two-lane roads into single ones," they said.

"Building owners should advice these operators that their acts are in contravention of the Town and Country Planning Act.

"Such practice could also cause other businesses in commercial centres to suffer losses as people will stop visiting the establishments due to difficulty in securing parking spots," they said.

The Town and Country Planning Department earlier stated that it would take action by cutting off electricity supply to land owners and entrepreneurs who refused to follow the regulations.

A maximum fine of $20,000 or 12-month imprisonment can be imposed by the courts on landowners and operators who fail to obtain approval from the Enforcement Agency on Development Control prior to conducting any development projects on their land.

Repeat offenders can face a fine of $500 per day or 6-month imprisonment.

Public members also called for these establishments to move to industrial sites as they were inappropriate in commercial areas.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin