The Sabah government has been told to “put all its mind, heart and resources” in improving the public healthcare system instead of going all out to compete with the private sector, said the Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp).

chong pit fah sapp info chief 121208 Commenting on Chief Minister Musa Aman’s recent announcement that Wisma Khidmat will be turned into a private hospital to be operated by either the Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) - the building’s owner - or a subsidiary, Sapp information chief Chong Pit Fah questioned the justification or the real motive behind such a move.

According to the chief minister, the new private hospital costing about RM100 million, will provide an alternative to the people of Sabah, especially those residing in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.

In a statement to Malaysiakini , Chong claimed the public are asking questions as to the real motive behind the state government's move.

SCC should stick to original aim

The Sapp leader said SCC, being a government-linked company, established a long time ago with the aim of assisting the small and medium enterprises, should not divert from its original aim.

Chong added that it would be better for SCC to focus on its core business rather than taking a high risk to venture into a field in which it lacks experience and expertise.

He cited the sale of the Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) in Likas (now known as the Likas Hospital) which was originally owned by the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), also a GLC, to the private sector, which was later sold to the Health Ministry, as a glaring example.

Chong cautioned the state government not to repeat the same mistake, adding that the Wisma Khidmat building is not suitable as a hospital because it was designed and built for commercial purposes.