Hospital board denies claim BM hospital to be relocated over temple issue

 The visitors’ board says a social media post falsely linked Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim to claims that the hospital would be moved to avoid disturbing a temple.

Members of the Bukit Mertajam Hospital visitors’ board lodged a police report at the Seberang Perai Tengah police headquarters in Penang today. (Bukit Mertajam Hospital visitors’ board pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Bukit Mertajam Hospital visitors’ board has denied a claim on social media that the hospital would be relocated to avoid disturbing a temple.

In a statement, the board referred to a Facebook post which alleged that “Hospital Bukit Mertajam will be moved so it does not disturb the temple”, linking it to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim.

The board said it lodged a police report urging authorities to investigate the Facebook account owner for sedition.

It also urged action under defamation, incitement and fake news laws.

It said such claims were harmful and could affect public order.

The board warned that the social media post contained racial and religious overtones that could harm public harmony and create confusion.

It said Sim, who is also the entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, never raised any issues related to the temple during his visit to the hospital on Sept 14 last year.

The board also said the hospital management had pursued plans for an additional block at the hospital since 2023 to cope with the rising number of patients, including those from outside the district such as Kulim in Kedah.

“It is not an issue of relocating the hospital building. What is proposed is the construction of a new building. The existing building will remain,” it said.

The board said the Penang government had supported the proposal by providing 3.2ha of land and the project is now awaiting approval from the health ministry.

The Shree Deva Maruthuvar Jada Muniswarar Alayam temple, located outside the hospital on Jalan Kulim, drew attention earlier this month after a planned gathering linked to it sparked concern.

Sim had called for the gathering to be cancelled as it could inflame racial and religious tensions.

The temple is believed to be more than a century old. - FMT