Sandakan hospital gets RM10 mln for repair, new block

SANDAKAN: RM10 million will be allocated by the Ministry of Finance for the repair and construction of a new block at the only hospital in Sandakan, the Duchess of Kent Hospital (DOKH).

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the allocation is only a start, and would be utilised to fix faulty elevators, repair the old block and to construct one new block for the hospital.

He added that the problem of inadequate parking spaces would also be addressed soon.

“If DAP (Democratic Action Party) wins this election (P.186 Sandakan parliamentary byelection), if candidate, Vivian Wong Shir Yee wins, Sandakan would have a representative that would be able to work together with the Federal Government. We want the Federal and State Governments to be on the same path and work together in order to bring about meaningful change, which would be different from the past government.

“The past government only knows how to talk. The State and Federal Governments today are a ‘clean’ government. We ensure that every Ringgit that we spend, the rakyat could see the result; we do not want ‘financial leakages’, misconduct, or corruption,” he said.

Lim said this at a press conference held at the Sandakan Central Market here yesterday during a walkabout session by the DAP candidate for the P.186 Sandakan parliamentary byelection, Vivian Wong Shir Yee.

“We are going to focus on development in Sandakan. We are aware that the economy in Sandakan is stagnant because of all BN’s (Barisan Nasional’s) empty promises, such as the (upgrading of) Sandakan airport which they announced but no action was taken.

“Yes, I know that they came up with the plan (to upgrade the airport) but to only talk is useless. What we want to see is the project actually taking place. Only with the new government now was the project approved with RM80 million budget, and RM20 million is going to be channelled this year. That was my decision as the Finance Minister,” Lim stressed.

Some parties claim that Vivian is taking advantage of her father’s popularity in the campaign. On this, Lim said she is not a foreign face in Sandakan, and she knows the people of Sandakan and their problems.

“Yes, the late Datuk Stephen Wong was a popular leader. But we chose an activist who is close to the people (to be the representative); it just so happens to be Stephen Wong’s daughter. What is important is that she would be able to continue good service. I think (choosing Vivian as candidate) is the right choice.

“The opposition party pointed out that Vivian Wong is taking advantage of her father’s reputation, but isn’t the opposition also pointing to itself? Their (opposition party, Parti Bersatu Sabah) candidate had also contested (for P.185 Batu Sapi by-election) on her late husband’s reputation. So don’t have double standard; let’s be gentle in fighting in this election and not measure one’s capability by personal attacks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lim said Vivian’s first campaign, the walkabout session was a success and it was apparent that she was well received by the locals.

“From the response given by the locals, it shows that people are rooting for her; I hope that this will translate to a number of votes,” he added.

At a press conference held at the DAP Operation Centre at Bandar Letat, Mile 3 Labuk Road here after the walkabout, Vivian told the press that a lot of locals told her that they are thankful for her father’s contribution to the people.

Vivian said that she wants to carry on with what her father had started and continue helping and serving the people.

She also said that she is not offended when a certain party pointed out that parliament is not a place for a ‘rookie’, but said that people should judge her by her actions and not her age.