PENAMPANG: A man with disabilities is puzzled over being issued a parking compound while two other vehicles without OKU stickers were occupying designated disabled parking spaces in Penampang recently.
Francis Xavier Kinjin, 42, said in a video uploaded on his Facebook page that he was forced to park in a regular paid space after failing to find an available disabled parking spot which, he claimed, was occupied by non-disabled individuals.
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“I searched for a parking space for nearly 20 minutes but could not find an empty spot,” he said.
“The only nearby disabled parking space close to my destination was occupied by someone who is not disabled,” Francis said.
The video, posted under his pseudonym ‘Oliver PUTUT’, has attracted widespread attention over the past three days, receiving 8,000 likes, over 1,000 comments, and multiple shares.
Francis, who has no legs and relies entirely on a wheelchair, said dedicated disabled parking is crucial for him to safely exit his vehicle before continuing with any activities or errands.
He questioned the actions of enforcement officers who did not take any action against the two vehicles parked in disabled spaces without valid stickers.
“When I went to pay the compound and asked the officer, I was told that the vehicle owners were only there briefly,” he said.
“Yet I spent almost 20 minutes looking for a parking space, and when I parked in another spot for less than 15 minutes, I was immediately issued a compound, even though my vehicle clearly displayed a valid OKU sticker,” Francis added.
He said this was not the first time he faced such a situation, including being issued a fine despite displaying a valid OKU sticker. The fine was cancelled after the officer involved understood the circumstances and acknowledged the error.
“This is not about paying the compound, but about our rights as persons with disabilities. We face numerous challenges daily, yet some people still take advantage of facilities provided for us,” he said.
Francis further stated that before ending the discussion with the officer, the official even suggested he take photos and videos to upload to social media.
He urged the public to be more aware and responsible in using designated disabled parking spaces, and called on authorities to enforce regulations fairly, firmly, and humanely.
Meanwhile, in TUARAN, prolonged inaction by the land office and the local council resulted in a police report being lodged over an eatery suspected operating illegally on a road reserve along Jalan Tamparuli-Kiulu.
The complainant, SK Ong, said he was acting on behalf of the owner of neighbouring land, over nuisance and public safety concerns.
He said the eatery at KM6.6 near Kg Rangalau Lama was built on land belonging to the Sabah JKR (Public Works Department) without approval.
It was alleged that it was also operating without valid licence or approved building plan.
The eatery’s location at a blind corner results in vehicles parking along the road reserve, obstructing visibility and creating potential danger for motorists using the busy stretch.
Ong said another problem was waste being discharged onto surrounding lands which caused unpleasant odour and attracted rodents and flies.
He noted that inspections were carried out by the Tuaran District Council and the Tuaran Land Office, with procedures initiated under Section 173 of the Sabah Land Ordinance to remove the structure but there was no follow-up action.
“The structure has been there since August last year,” he said.
“I have lodged reports with the Tuaran District Office, but until today no action has been taken.”
