Unbelievable! Kancil car cost RM424 for 2-days rent in Kota Kinabalu
Jul 1, 2009 General
It’s been awhile since my last visit to Kota Kinabalu or KK – a city that native Sabahans obviously hate to share with ‘Pilak’ illegal immigrants? from neighboring Philippines and Indonesia.
As in any other cities around the country – Kota Kinabalu physical transformation is no less impressive over the last few years. Landmark development project such as the Sutera Harbour had transformed once an eyesore squatters area into a five star resort complete with its own golf course and marina!
The must visit – handicraft market (also known as Filipino market) located along Tun Fuad Stephen road, which is within 5 minutes walking distance from the Le Meridien hotel showed no sign of business slowing down – despite current global recession.
We accept credit card sign is now becoming common sight in the Pasar Kraftangan locally known as Filipinos market - whose customers include moneyed Bruneian, west Malaysian and Singaporean visitors.
Well moneyed Bruneian, west Malaysian and Singaporean visitors still thronged the market looking for bargain popular women accessories such as crystal bracelets, brooch, necklaces and pearl (both fake and genuine are sold).
I remember Sepanggar bay area was very much an outskirt, peripheral area no less different than the villages found along the Likas river. Not anymore. Now it has the biggest lifestyle hyper-mall on the island of Borneo – the 1Borneo Hyper Mall and two four star rated international hotels!
Real estate developers are busy building condominiums, premium real estates – probably anticipating more demand in future.
Renting a car is the best way to get around Kota Kinabalu. But it isn't come cheap in Kota Kinabalu nowadays.
Perhaps, in tandem with the city fast changing landscape, so too, the cost of goods and services around the city. Car rental business for example is growing, probably booming as demand increases. Now to rent a car you need at least RM400++ – that’s inclusive of RM 18.00 Collision Damage Waiver, another RM 200.00 for car deposit.
Mind you, that’s the lowest rate you expected to pay not for a Mercedes or other higher capacity cars. But a Kancil. Kancil 660cc to be exact, not 850cc! Another company quoted a proton saga (old model) car at RM280 per day! – something I used to pay for a Honda in Kuala Lumpur!
I didn’t dare to ask for 4-WD vehicles such as Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi storm or Ford Ranger quotation – knowing it would cost me a fortune for two days rent.
Thankful, our friend Chua came back to Kota Kinabalu from vacation on time. He helped us with the car rental. Instead of paying RM400++ we only paid RM120 for two days rental.
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