Same promise, same hospital

Sarawak PKR wants to know why the government is calling for a re-tender when the contract for the Petra Jaya hospital was already awarded last year.

KUCHING: The much-hyped announcement that the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency will be getting a hospital in three years’ time has fallen flat with the 100,000 voters in the constituency simply because they heard the same pledge five years ago, said local opposition PKR.

“Nevetherless, it is good to hear news of the proposed construction… better now than never,” Sarawak PKR women chief Nurhanim Mokhsen said.

Nurhanim, who was responding to reports that Petra Jaya would have a hospital in three years’ time, was however “puzzled” by the fact that the Barisan Nasional government was calling for tenders when it had already appointed a contractor.

“We are puzzled by the announcement on the need to go through another round of tedious tendering process.

“According to our records, Bursa Malaysia said that Zecon Bhd had received the letter of intent on June 3, 2011 to build the hospital by way of direct negotiations on a ‘design and build basis’.

“Our concern is why the need for the BN government to re-tender as we fear that further delays will creep in.

“Also, it is very disappointing that the proposed hospital is to cater for only 300 beds,” she said, adding that the 300 beds were “ridiculously low” for the high density population area.

Nurhanim feared that overcrowding will occur just like the Sarawak General Hospital.

“If the BN government is responsible, it should look into this more seriously and speed up the project as it is needed by the masses, ” she said.

‘Calling for tender’

She also warned the BN government “not to play” with the sentiment of Petra Jaya populace by promising to build the hospital before every election.

The government had pledged to build the hospital five years ago.

“We urge the finance and health ministries to have the foresight to build the hospital. We propose that the hospital should have at least 500 beds.

“Extra funds should be forthcoming so that the population in Petra Jaya can enjoy better facilities while waiting or accompanying their love ones,” Nurhanim said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s deputy director of health services, Dr Chin Zin Hing, said that the long delayed Petra Jaya hospital is in its design stage and will be up for tender once the design has been finalised.

“We are waiting for the hospital design and have already appointed a consultant on the matter.

“The hospital, which is expected to be completed within three years, will be developed on a 40-acre site next to the Sarawak health department in Petra Jaya.

“The hospital can accommodate 300 beds with all the basic specialists’ services to cater to patients in Petra Jaya,” Chin said.