Patriot wants answers on proposed military vets’ hospital

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) has again called into question a reported government proposal to construct a dedicated military veterans hospital at Camp Gua Permai in Ipoh.

Patriot president Mohamed Arshad Rajhi said this was due to rumours that the RM500 million project would be constructed via a ‘land swap’ deal, which could see the Malaysian Armed Forces losing not just its rights to the land, but ownership of the proposed hospital.

“Patriot takes a serious view to the rumours surrounding this veterans’ hospital issue, and seeks answers from the (caretaker) defence minister (Hishammuddin Hussein) and the Defence Ministry,” Arshad said in a statement today.

Among others, the veterans group urged Hishammuddin to explain whether there was any truth to the ‘land swap’ rumour between the Defence Ministry and the private developer appointed to build the hospital.

“If it is true, would this mean that 28,500 sq m of land at Camp Gua Permai upon which the hospital is to be built would no longer be owned by the Armed Forces?,” he said.

“Is it true that the Defence Ministry will not bear the cost of construction? But rather the entire construction cost will be borne by a company that will eventually take ownership of the hospital when it is ready?” he asked.

Ownership issue

According to Arshad, if it was true that the hospital would not belong to the Armed Forces, questions could be raised over its status as a designated military veterans hospital.

He added that there were also rumours that the hospital would be turned into a private-owned hospital with only a section reserved for veterans.

“If this is true, who then manages and administers the portion reserved for Armed Forces veterans?

“Is it (also) true that the hospital will not bear or subsidise the cost of medical treatment for veterans?”

Aside from the issues of ownership status, the Patriot president also pointed out that Camp Gua Permai currently houses a battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, which would need to be relocated to a new permanent or temporary camp.

“The (caretaker) defence minister and the Armed Forces ought to be aware that there are also voices of discontent spreading among soldiers and their families who have been posted out to new camps that are not fully ready for occupation.

“Such a move is a disruption to their lives, especially for families that have school-going children,” he warned.

Aside from asking for answers from the Defence Ministry, Arshad also reiterated Patriot’s stand that the RM500 million allocation could be better used to build medical units for veterans at existing government hospitals nationwide.

Hishammuddin had first made the proposal in September last year. - Mkini