A Health Ministry's statement has debunked DAP Keranji assemblyperson Chong Zhemin's claim that MCA had misappropriated RM150 million intended for a hospital in Kampar.
Chong (photo) had claimed the RM150 million was intended for the proposed Kampar government hospital but was instead replaced with MCA's plan for a private hospital in collaboration with the party-owned Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kampar.
Responding to Malaysiakini, the Health Ministry said the RM150 million announced by then Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai in 2012 was never disbursed after the Kampar government hospital project was cancelled.
"The RM150 million allocation was never the issue as it was not approved by the Finance Ministry to the Health Ministry.
"The original project and the budget were cancelled because the land was found unsuitable (to build a hospital).
"Therefore, the budget is still at the Finance Ministry level and has not been channelled to the Health Ministry," it said.
However, the Health Ministry said there was an allocation for the Kampar government hospital since Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced its planned revival when tabling Budget 2020 last year.
The Health Ministry said the allocation to revive the public hospital plan has not been disbursed as land ownership for the new site needs to be resolved first.
"The land is state land and it needs to be transferred to the Federal Lands Commissioner.
"The Economic Affairs Ministry will only prepare the budget according to the ceiling prescribed under the 12th Malaysia Plan," it said.
Chong's allegation on Jan 2 had put him at loggerheads with MCA deputy president Mah Hang Soon, who demanded evidence that MCA misappropriated the allocation.
Chong responded by showing a letter that the initial government hospital project was cancelled in 2016 after the Public Works Department found the proposed site was not suitable but there was nothing on the allocation, allegedly.
On Jan 4, Mah criticised Chong for providing irrelevant answers and demanded that he resigned as an assemblyperson if he cannot provide proof.
Mah had also threatened legal action against Chong if he did not apologise within 48 hours.
Mah, when contacted about the Health Ministry's response, said: "I will do what I need to do." - Mkini
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