Parking space needed at Duchess of Kent Hospital

28 October 2025

SANDAKAN: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President and Sandakan City Councillor Chong Thien Ming has urged for urgent temporary measures to ease the severe parking congestion at Duchess of Kent Hospital, which has long caused frustration among patients, visitors, and staff.

Chong said the parking shortage has persisted for years, with the situation worsening to the point of becoming unbearable.

“The congestion has become intolerable, and an urgent temporary solution must be implemented to ease the burden on the public,” he stressed.

Having personally visited the hospital on several occasions, Chong said he had observed the situation first-hand and listened to public feedback shared by local netizens.

“Many have voiced their frustration over the lack of parking spaces and the daily traffic chaos. It is clear that immediate action is needed,” he added.

As a short-term measure, Chong proposed the following steps:

Rent two nearby vacant plots capable of accommodating around 100 vehicles.

Provide shuttle bus services to transport visitors and hospital staff between the temporary parking areas and the hospital.

Introduce a systematic parking management plan to ensure smooth operation and safety.

“This proposal offers a practical short-term solution to the long-standing parking problem faced by the people of Sandakan. The cost involved is minimal, mainly covering rental and manpower, which can be managed efficiently,” Chong explained.

He called for close collaboration between relevant government agencies and the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) to coordinate and implement the proposal effectively.

“Inter-agency cooperation is crucial to resolve this long-standing issue that has disrupted daily life,” he said.

Chong added that after the upcoming election, should the GRS government continue its mandate, he intends to formally propose this temporary measure to the government to provide immediate relief while long-term solutions are being developed.

“The people of Sandakan have waited too long. We cannot allow bureaucracy to delay basic solutions any longer. This is a practical, low-cost, and people-centred initiative,” he concluded.

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