Motorists in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, have urged the authorities to find a solution to their parking problem as it has contributed to congestion in the city centre.

Resident Johnson Liew, 32, said many drivers had to drive around for almost an hour just to find a parking spot, especially along the Gaya, Sinsuran and Segama streets.

"Once, I had to drive around for more than an hour to find parking. Some drivers would park their cars indiscriminately on the narrow streets because they could not find a spot.”

Liew said this blocked the road and caused inconvenience to other road users.

"Sometimes, motorists have no choice but to do so because they are in a hurry and need to settle matters like with the banks or attend meetings.”

He said some were forced to park at a hotel and shopping malls.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall Public Relations and Complaints Department director Syron A. Tunggolou said motorists should use the multi-storey car park at the newly-opened KK Sentral Bus Terminal.

She said there were 391 parking bays at the terminal, which opens daily from 6am to 10pm.

Parking fee is RM3 per entry (Monday to Friday), RM2 per entry (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays), and RM100 for a monthly pass.

Tunggolou said DBKK had also instructed the contractor of the Mercure Hotel near Jesselton Point to remove cones and barriers that were obstructing several parking spots.

She said the parking spots were for the public and the hotel was not allowed to block them without DBKK's approval.

"DBKK has also reorganised the parking area near the hotel in accordance with the Traffic Area Plan's approval.

"After the rearrangement, there are 30 additional parking spots in the area.”