Events surrounding the beleaguered Shah Alam general hospital project have taken a twist with journalists, political figures and Public Works Department (PWD) officers having their statements recorded by police over allegations of slander against members of Selangor royalty.

This follows police probe of the dispute between main project contractor Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd, owned by members of the Selangor house, and main subcontractor GM Healthcare Sdn Bhd over alleged non-payment for work already done.

azlan Previously, both companies were embroiled in a legal battle with GM Healthcare which filed to wind-up Sunshine Fleet. Sunshine Fleet was also handed a winding-up notice by its own managing director.

Malaysiakini was informed by sources that a police report claiming slander against royalty was lodged in May by Sunshine Fleet chairperson, Tengku Putri Arafiah ibni Sultan Abd Aziz Shah, who is the Selangor Sultan’s sister.

Following this, police were at Malaysiakini office in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur last Thursday to record the statement of a journalist who wrote the articles about the delayed public project. The officers present did not disclose further details.

Two MPs’ statements taken

According to the sources, the police report claimed that certain articles or comments could be seen as ‘slander against the royal family’.

Some of the concerns related to allegedly referring to royalty and possible corruption in the Malaysiakini reports Overpriced hospital, another public funds 'sink hole' , PWD silent on 'overpriced' hospital and Hospital sub-contractor seeks to wind up princess' firm .

It is learnt that the police are also in the process of recording the statements of a reporter from financial daily The Edge and from an independent political analyst.

The sources said police have already recorded the statements of PWD officers involved in correspondences regarding the project, PAS and DAP parliamentarians Khalid Samad and Tony Pua respectively who spoke out about the project and from Elvin Toh, CEO of main subcontractor GM Healthcare, Elvin Toh.

In December last year, Malaysiakini revealed irregularities in the construction of the new Shah Alam general hospital and this was followed by a series of reports highlighting recent developments involving the project.