‘Abandoned’ car at KKIA arrival hall towed away

KOTA KINABALU - A Perodua Myvi car that was left behind by its owner and parked illegally in front of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) arrival hall for more than a month was finally towed away yesterday.

The car, bearing the number SAA 2841 V, was believed to have been left behind by the unknown owner and parked illegally along the shoulder of the road since June 24.

Kota Kinabalu Traffic and Public Order chief DSP Parum Niot said four traffic summonses for illegal parking were issued and placed on the windscreen of the vehicle since last month until yesterday, but the vehicle was still there.

“Apparently the owner never came back to pick up his or her vehicle so we have decided to tow it away as it is causing unnecessary traffic congestion along KKIA, especially during peak hours,” he said during an integrated operation to solve traffic congestion at KKIA here yesterday.

Parum added that the Perodua Myvi was towed to the Kota Kinabalu Traffic Station for further action under Section 57 of the Road Traffic Ordinance 1958.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB/KKIA) senior manager Sunif Naiman said the integrated operation was carried out to ease traffic flow at KKIA, especially during peak hours.

He said the action was taken after MAB and the police received numerous complaints about congestion at KKIA from the public, especially along the arrival and departure terminals.

“The unexpected and overcrowding congestion of vehicles entering KKIA was due to the upgrade of AirAsia from Terminal II to Terminal I since last year.

“After studying the traffic flow, we have decided to take immediate action to overcome this problem.

“There are 1,400 parking lots available for the public so I hope they will make full use of this service.

“Park your vehicles at the ready parking lots and not to park and leave your vehicles unattended along the road shoulder at either the arrival or departure terminal as it will only cause unnecessary traffic congestion,” he said.

Sunif also reminded tour bus operators and taxi drivers to park their vehicles at the designated parking bay at KKIA.

“That are 20 parking lots for tourist buses and 100 parking lots for taxis, so we hope all parties will give their full cooperation,” he said.

Sunif also revealed that about 18,000 passengers passed through the airport per day, while the number increases to 20,000 during festive seasons.

Yesterday’s joint operation involved MAB, police, City Hall enforcement team, Road Transport Department, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents. - BP