KOTA KINABALU, April 29 — In response to growing public dissatisfaction over the sharp increase in business license fees in the Penampang area, Warisan Party’s Kapayan state assemblyman, lawyer Chin Tek Ming, yesterday formally submitted a memorandum of protest to the State Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Haji Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, following the end of second day of the State Legislative Assembly.
The petition drive aims to oppose the implementation of the revised licensing fee structure by the Penampang Municipal Council, which has significantly raised operating costs for many small businesses, further burdening them amid current economic challenges.
Chin had earlier publicly questioned the justification for the drastic increase and called on the state government to intervene immediately and review the fee structure.
He later led the Warisan Penampang division along with the “Legal Lion” team in a signature collection campaign from April 2 to April 20, covering the Kapayan and Moyog constituencies. The campaign was conducted in protest against the substantial hike in fees under the UNIFORM (LICENSING THE USE OF PREMISES FOR TRADE, BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND PROFESSION) BY-LAWS 2022.
Since its launch, the campaign received overwhelming support from local traders and residents, gathering a large number of signatures in a short period—reflecting widespread grassroots dissatisfaction with the fee hike.
After submitting the petition, Chin expressed hope that the government would heed public sentiment and suspend the implementation of the new fee structure.
He stressed that with the rising cost of living and an uncertain market environment, the sharp increase in license fees has placed a heavy burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly micro-businesses and family-run operations.
He also extended his appreciation to members of the Warisan Penampang division and the “Legal Lion” team for their tireless efforts in advocating on behalf of the people.
