Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that the government has no objection for Sime Darby Bhd to acquire a stake in the national heart institute (IJN).

However he stressed that the conglomerate must ensure high priority for the poor.

najib hilton hotel pc 010808 01 "We are in the process of finalising the matter with the Ministry of Health although in principle we have no objection to the proposal," he was reported as saying in Bernama .

Najib said Sime Darby must pledge its commitment that the poor would not be marginalised if IJN is to be transferred to it.

"Whatever the position of IJN, it is important for the social programme to be given high priority," said Najib, who is also the Finance Minister.

It was reported yesterday that Sime Darby had written to the government proposing to acquire a stake in IJN Holdings as the operator of the national heart institute.

IJN is currently the leading medical heart centre in the region and is 99.99 percent owned by the Ministry of Finance.

When asked if there were other parties interested in acquiring a stake in IJN, Najib said: "Not, as far as I know".

Sime Darby confirmed yesterday that it has written to the government on its interest in acquiring IJN.

Gov't will regulate fees

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, the company said it was still awaiting an official response from the government.

sime darby and institut jantung negara ijn Sime Darby said the proposed investment will be subject to, among others, satisfactory due diligence by the company and the approval of the relevant authorities.

Najib today said the proposal would have some advantages for IJN as funding would not be a problem for Sime Darby and doctors would also receive better remuneration.

"Given the need for better treatment of heart diseases and the competition from new hospitals coming up, it is possible to pinch doctors from IJN," he said.

Bernama also reported yesterday, quoting OSK Research Sdn Bhd, that Sime Darby's interest in taking over IJN was in line with the group's mission to strengthen its private healthcare business through its healthcare division.

OSK said that Sime Darby would be able to ride on IJN'strong brand and reputation if the privatisation takes off.

However, OSK said there was still a long way to go despite the positive reception from the Finance Ministry to privatise IJN, as many issues needed to be considered before a final decision.

institut jantung negara ijn 181208 OSK said one of the Health Ministry's concerns was whether IJN's charges would be increased should it be taken over by a private corporation.

Responding to this today Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that the government would continue to regulate fees at IJN even if it was to be privatised.

This was to ensure patients were not overcharged, he said.

It would make IJN heartless

Meanwhile Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he disagreed with the privatisation idea.

"I quite agree that there are certain things that we cannot privatise because I think IJN has been giving a good service.

guan eng pc information freedom act 161208 02 "The privatisation would turn IJN to become very heartless," he said at a press conference held at Parliament lobby this morning.

Lim added that there was nothing wrong if the government considered generating revenue from the IJN or tried to run the institute like a private enterprise.

The main thing, he stressed, was that the specialist hospital must remain under the government control.

He also said that the public would want a medical centre "that is filled with love" and "should continue to be a centre with a heart" for the people.