By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH — A hotel has expressed disappointment over the actions of Ipoh City Council (MBI) in addressing the damage to the bus parking area in front of the property, which it claims does not reflect the local authority’s earlier assurances.
According to the hotel, although MBI recently issued a statement saying it would carry out small-scale resurfacing works around the Hotel Excelsior area, particularly at the parking zone, the actual work on the ground has fallen short of what was promised.
Based on site inspections and feedback from the hotel, MBI was found to have merely repainted the parking lines and the words “petak khas” (special bay), which had previously faded, without carrying out any resurfacing to repair the damaged surface.
“I am deeply disappointed with MBI’s approach to resolving this parking issue, especially when we consistently pay our rental fee every year. MBI only repainted the lines, whereas what we want is for the parking area to be resurfaced as stated in their own announcement,” they said.
They further alleged that the repainting exercise appeared to mask the actual condition of the still-damaged parking area, adding to the dissatisfaction on the part of the hotel.
They said the situation could affect the image of both the hotel and the city of Ipoh, particularly as the hotel is set to receive a fully booked five-day reservation from a Bank Rakyat group next month.
“This parking area will be used as a food truck site throughout the group’s stay. If the condition remains as it is, it would be extremely embarrassing for the hotel,” they said.
In the following months, the hotel is also scheduled to host football teams, and it does not want the damaged parking area to become a source of complaints that could harm the business’ reputation.
“We hope MBI will act swiftly and professionally, not merely offer promises. We are in the business sector and require prompt and effective action,” they added.
Previously, news portal Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic had reported on the damaged parking area twice, following concerns over potential safety risks to tourists and members of the public in the vicinity of the hotel.
In an earlier statement, MBI announced that, as an immediate measure, it would undertake small-scale resurfacing work at the identified damaged parking areas and access routes to ensure the safety and comfort of users.
For a long-term solution, MBI also announced plans to carry out comprehensive resurfacing works along Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, subject to budget availability and work scheduling.
The hotel once again urged MBI to resolve the damaged parking issue without delay, noting that this year has been declared Visit Malaysia Year and that the property has seen an increase in bookings from tourists.
“Resurfacing this parking area is our top priority, and we want it to be expedited. We also appreciate MBI’s previous efforts in resurfacing the sunken road, but the condition at the lower section remains a long-term concern,” he said.
They expressed hope that immediate action would be taken for the well-being of users and to safeguard Ipoh’s image as a tourist destination.
