TAWAU: Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) has been urged to improve public amenities for the people, following the implementation of several new by-laws starting this year.
Philip Yap, a member of the Sabah DAP committee, said that with the arrival of 2026, MPT has begun enforcing the new Uniform Parking By-Law, which replaces the old parking regulations that have been in place since 1982.
He stated that the introduction of this new by-law has led to higher parking charges, which will directly increase MPT’s revenue.
However, he emphasised that this rise in income should be matched with significant improvements in public amenities to ensure the well-being of the people.
Philip said the new parking regulations have caused dissatisfaction, particularly among business owners and small traders.
“With the economy still recovering and rising operational costs, higher parking fees are seen as an additional burden on both traders and customers. Many business owners have expressed concern as foot traffic drops due to the increased parking charges. This is not just a parking issue, but one that directly impacts local businesses and the economy,” he added.
Philip also said, in addition to the parking by-law, MPT had introduced other new by-laws, including those related to building regulations and licensing, which also involve higher fees.
The simultaneous implementation of these by-laws has raised questions among residents about how the additional revenue will be used.
He stressed that the public is not opposed to reforms or system improvements, but they expect the collected funds to be reinvested into upgrading public infrastructure, which has long been a source of complaints.
Among the ongoing issues raised are blocked drains, damaged drain covers, poorly lit streets, and deteriorating roads in residential and commercial areas.
“These are not new problems. They have been around for years and directly affect the safety and quality of life of the people,” Philip said.
As such, he called on MPT to allocate more of its annual budget to repairing and upgrading drainage systems, replacing broken drain covers, installing more streetlights, and resurfacing damaged roads.
He reminded that in the past, many complaints about drains, roads, and street lighting were delayed due to alleged budget constraints.
However, with MPT now taking over parking operations from Tawau Carpark Sdn Bhd and implementing the new parking rates, the council is expected to have a stronger financial base.
“There is now no excuse for delays in improving Tawau’s essential infrastructure,” he stressed.
Philip also urged MPT to be more transparent in explaining to the public how the additional revenue will be prioritized and spent, ensuring that funds are allocated to projects that directly benefit the residents.
He hopes that MPT will adopt a more people-focused approach to urban development, ensuring that every policy and by-law leads to tangible improvements in the daily lives of the local community.
