SIBU: Out of concern for the public and medical staff who have long suffered due to the lack of parking spaces, Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) Dudong Branch Chairman, Wong Ching Yong, has urged Sibu’s two Members of Parliament (MP) to expedite efforts to secure the construction of a multi-storey car park at Sibu Hospital.
He believed that almost every Sibu resident is aware that finding a parking space at Sibu Hospital is an ongoing struggle.
“The issue has worsened year after year as the number of patients increases.
“Yet, despite public outcry, the two MPs who have served for over a decade – Oscar Ling (Sibu MP) and Alice Lau (Lanang MP) – have failed in their duty to resolve the parking issue at the hospital.
“Every day, the hospital sees a large number of patients. People worry not only about long waiting times but also about not being able to find a place to park.
“In urgent cases, some are forced to park illegally and end up being fined,” he pointed out in a statement today.
Wong, who is also Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) Deputy Chairman, added that some have no choice but to park farther away, walking under the hot sun or in the rain to reach the hospital – a challenging situation, especially for the elderly or those with children.
“It’s not just the patients or caregivers who suffer. Even doctors, nurses and other medical personnel face the daily stress of finding parking.
“In emergency situations, this stress is even more intense.
“Moreover, the lack of parking or the constant search for a spot often leads to traffic congestion within the hospital grounds.
“Some even park indiscriminately, blocking traffic, which affects not only convenience but also ambulance access, ” he asserted.
Wong stated that a hospital official revealed at the end of 2023 that Sibu Hospital has 1,335 parking spaces.
During office hours, there are around 1,000 staff working and about 1,000 patients visiting – highlighting the seriousness of the shortage.
He said, according to the hospital director, Dr Nanthakumar, the hospital has already applied to the federal government to build a parking facility similar to that of the Sarawak General Hospital.
“We appreciate the hospital’s initiative, but Sibu residents are left wondering: why haven’t the two MPs pushed the federal government to approve the proposal?” Wong asked.
He emphasised that upgrading public hospitals, especially infrastructure, falls under the purview of the federal government, meaning MPs have a clear responsibility in this area.
However, he lamented that Ling and Lau, despite being in office for over a decade, have not fought for the construction of a multi-storey parking facility that would permanently resolve the severe parking shortage.
He argued that the two MPs initially used the excuse of being in the opposition to justify their inaction.
But since 2018, he said, they have been part of the ruling coalition and continued to be in federal government after the 2022 general election, giving them ample time and resources to bring infrastructure development to Sibu.
“Perhaps Ling is slightly more responsible than Lau, having allocated some funds for the construction of very limited open parking spots, but this is far from a real solution.
“Hopefully, he doesn’t think that token effort is enough to shirk responsibility for a multi-storey car park,” Wong said.
He questioned whether the two MPs had ever submitted a formal proposal to the federal government for the construction of a multi-storey car park at Sibu Hospital, especially since Lau has risen to higher positions in government and likely has even more avenues and influence to fulfill this long-awaited demand.
“If a project that MPs should be vigorously fighting for is left entirely to the hospital to manage, isn’t that a complete waste of the voters’ support?” Wong opined.
He reiterated that the two MPs must wake up to their responsibilities.
Voter support was given to them so that they could bring development and federal funding to Sibu, not just enjoy the perks of high office.
He insisted that the construction of the multi-storey car park at Sibu Hospital must begin during the current term of these MPs in order to dispel the public’s perception that they are ignoring the issue.
