PAYING for parking in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang just got easier after local authorities integrated separate payment apps into a single system.
The move, formalized through an MoU between Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) and Majlis Perbandaran Penampang, allows drivers to choose between Sabah Smart Parking (SSP) or Flexi Parking—with either app now accepted in both areas.
"If you are in Kota Kinabalu, you can use Flexi Parking. If you are in Penampang, Sabah Smart Parking works just as well. There is no need to download both anymore," said Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah, who credited the integration to year-long discussions following public complaints.
The system, which will go live on March 10, is expected to streamline parking payments and eliminate confusion caused by multiple platforms.
On another development, since DBKK introduced the SSP app, fine collections have doubled—from RM400,000 in January to RM800,000, and over RM1 million in February.
“We have seen people complain on TikTok, saying they paid but still got fined,” Sabin said.
“The system does not lie. It records the exact time your plate was scanned and when you made the payment. If you were late, you were late.”
Authorities say the system is designed to be more efficient and reduce enforcement loopholes.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Jamili Nais, Permanent Secretary of the Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry, Putatan is expected to follow next, with other local governments in Sabah considering similar integrations.
“The next step is Putatan. Other districts are looking at this model and may roll it out in phases,” he said.
The Sabah Smart Parking system follows Bank Negara’s security standards and has over 270,000 registered users in Kota Kinabalu and 80,000 in Penampang.
DBKK launched its parking app on October 16, 2024 while Penampang on July 1, 2024. Putatan on the other hand introduced theirs on February 1, this year.
For now, Penampang still allows coupon-based payments, but local authorities say this may be phased out as Sabah moves toward a fully digital parking system statewide.
The change follows mounting frustrations among Sabah motorists who struggled with multiple parking apps.
With this integration, officials hope to simplify parking payments and lay the groundwork for a seamless system across the state. - March 7, 2025
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