Buying SMC won’t solve problems: SAPP

KOTA KINABALU, May 6, 2009: It is more worthwhile for the Government to build a new and bigger general hospital here than buying the existing Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) as a long-term solution to the seemingly unending medical service and facility problems in Sabah, particularly in the State Capital.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) senior leader Datuk David Chong Ket Sui, in making the suggestion yesterday, said that buying the SMC would not solve the problems and left that it is only a waste of the taxpayers’ money.

“Several years ago, the Government bought the former SMC building in Likas with aim of improving the medical services and facilities but the problems become worse after the QEH main tower block was declared unsafe at the end of last year,’ he lamented yesterday.

David reckoned that Sabah, in particular the State Capital, needs a bigger and comprehensive general hospital that caters for the ever growing population and increasing number of patients seeking medical treatment.

David said the existing QEH was built a comprehensive general hospital here since Sabah gained independence in 1963.

“As such, the time has come for the Central Government to give priority on Sabah’s need for better health care and medical services and build a bigger and comprehensive general hospital in Kota Kinabalu.

“Buying the SMC building is not a practical approach because after two or three years, the same problems will surface again and by then the Government still thinking about buying another building which is a waste o taxpayers’ money only. We need a new, bigger and comprehensive general hospital to ensure a lasting solution to our health care and medical service problems once and for all,” he said.

He said that after the QEH’s main tower block was declared unsafe six months ago, patients were moved or referred to the hospitals in other district for treatment, thus causing a great deal of hardship not only to the patients but also their family members.

“This is a torture for Malaysians in Sabah lacking in medical hospitals are still lacking in medical staff and facilities to treat the patients,” he lamented.

On an unrelated issue, David, who is Supreme Council member of SAPP, urged the Prime Minister in particular the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to investigate a recent allegation made by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Datuk Chin Su Phin against the State Cabinet members.

“I believe the LDP leader concerned would not have made such allegations of abuse of power and corruption in the newspapers, if they don’t have sufficient evidence or proof,” he said, adding a thorough investigation is crucial to determine whether there is any truth to the allegations.

“If the allegations are found to be baseless, then what kind of action should be taken against the LDP and its leader who raised the issues?”

Recently, Chin also urged that the Prime Minister should act firmly against leaders who have been implicated in any corrupt practices, misused their powers or those who were found incompetent in discharging their responsibilities.

In this regard, Chin urged Najib to also exercise his power and act firmly in strengthening all the BN-led State Governments in the country, including Sabah.

THE BORNEO POST
Wednesday, May 6, 2009