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A total of 1,103 parking bays has been allotted for the public at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), which Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) maintains is sufficient to cater for the day to day needs at the property and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles inside the compound.

As such, there is no excuse for drivers to park their automobiles haphazardly along kerbsides and in restricted zones on the grounds, according to the company, as their actions hinder the movement of traffic at the Airport and create safety and accessibility challenges for passengers. 

To minimise this inconvenience, MAHB has been cracking down on such inconsiderate behaviour off late by clamping the tyres of vehicles found outside the designated public parking area for the KKIA.

The Police Department (PD), meanwhile, has vowed to get equally tough on those who park illegally along the main roads to Kepayan Perdana and K Avenue as their actions have given rise to bad jams forming in these areas.

A MAHB spokeswoman said the number of parking irregularities at the KKIA, involving vehicles left in places not designated for the public, had risen noticeably over the past few months.

“Owing to this, steps were taken to reinforce existing parking regulations, including the use of wheel clamping where necessary,” she said. 

“Such measures were enacted to encourage better compliance and ensure that the shared spaces around the Airport remained accessible to all.”

Prior to the implementation of these measures, she said, efforts were made to raise the awareness among airport-users.

“Signs and banners are displayed at key locations, including at parking entrances and restricted areas on the grounds.”  

About 13 signs were put up in different parts of the compound, according to her.

“On top of this, reminders are regularly issued to the public, through on-the-ground engagement and communication with the wider airport community.”

The spokeswoman said motorists were informed that, in cases where their tyres had been clamped, they would have to pay a RM100 fee to have the restraint removed. 

“To avoid this hassle, we encourage all drivers to make use of the designated parking facilities and to observe our parking guidelines.

“This will help ensure a smoother, more seamless experience for all passengers and visitors to the KKIA.”

Where Kepayan Perdana and K Avenue were concerned, the Police have been issuing summonses to those who leave their vehicles haphazardly near or on the main roads there.

A PD spokesman said it had received reports from several motorists who were displeased about the congestion in these areas.

“We were even officially informed about this problem by the Penampang Municipal Council,” he said.

“Our officers have been keeping an eye regularly on the affected stretches. 

“Any vehicle-owner caught parking illegally parking has been penalised up to RM150 in these instances.”

He said the Department occasionally faced an uphill task dealing with this problem as its staff couldn’t be there round-the-clock to nab the wrongdoers.

“Nevertheless, in light of the continuing public outcry we will try to increase our surveillance of both main stretches.”

A Council spokeswoman said the agency had received several complaints about this problem, with its Enforcement officers subsequently being sent to check on the goings-on at the affected locations.

She said they confirmed the presence of numerous vehicles which had been parked illegally along the stretches running along the periphery of Kepayan Perdana and K Avenue.

“Our personnel snapped photos on their handphones of the offending automobiles spotted during these checks,” she said. 

“These photos were attached to letters which we sent to the PD.” 

She said this was the most which the Council could do as neither the main road near Kepayan Perdana nor the one near K Avenue fell under its jurisdiction.