RM5 daily cap proposed as Tawau Hospital parking debate heats up

Tawau Hospital's parking issue is generating heated debate, with a proposed daily cap of RM5 now on the table as a practical solution. State Assistant Minister of Health, Women and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Rina Jainal revealed the intention behind the paid parking system is to enhance parking management, tackle security concerns such as accidents and theft, and improve overall safety for visitors and staff.

Speaking at the Tawau Prison Corrective Outreach Programme, Rina emphasized that the private company's initiative to develop the hospital's parking facilities should be evaluated based on public needs and hospital staff requirements. The shortage of parking spaces has been a recurring complaint, and Rina urged the public to consider the proposal favorably, acknowledging that developing and maintaining these facilities entails costs, and the land is reportedly owned by an external party, not the hospital itself.

The proposed parking rates are set at RM1 for the first entry by members of the public, with an additional RM0.50 for each subsequent hour, capped at a daily maximum of RM5. Hospital employees would be required to pay a monthly rate of RM30. The parking site is owned by Khazanah and leased to the Tawau Hospital Staff Association, which bears the monthly rental and maintenance expenses, including cleaning, with any surplus funds directed towards supporting hospital staff and patients.