It has been more than a month and DAP leader Dr Tan Seng Giaw is still waiting for Works Minister S Samy Vellu to keep his word about visiting the controversial RM500 million Temerloh Hospital in Pahang.

In a statement today, the Kepong MP said the minister had invited him in Parliament on April 5 to visit the hospital.

"Over a month later, I am still waiting for his invitation," said Tan, who is a medical doctor by training.

Tan also called on Samy Vellu to explain how the hospital's contractor Projek Hospital Temerloh Sdn Bhd (PHTSB) could obtain the Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) on Jan 15 when work has yet to be completed.

"For example, it had not installed a Residual Current Device (RCD), some of the roads were constructed with limestone or granite, the helipad had not followed international standards and so forth," he said.

On March 17, Tan, who is also DAP deputy chairperson visited the hospital after receiving complaints from the public. He met with PHTSB representatives, a Public Works Department representative and the hospital's pro-tem director Dr Bahari Che Awang.

Samy Vellu had defended the hospital and described it as the most beautiful hospital in the east coast of the peninsular. He also cautioned the DAP leader against making 'flying statements' and challenged him to file a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency.

'This boggles'

Meanwhile, Tan said that he wrote to the Department of Civil Aviation on April 8 asking if it had approved the hospital's helipad, which is situated in the middle of hospital buildings, hostels, car parks and roads.

"It dithers. In a reply dated April 14, it (the DCA) said the helipad is subjected to the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, that safety features such as flood lights must be installed on adjacent tall buildings and the management must issue Standard Operating Procedure limiting take-off and landing only in one direction.

"I have written to the DCA to ask again whether it had approved the helipad," he added.

If major works such as the RCD, helipad and roads do not comply with specifications, the contractor should not be given the CPC, he reiterated.

"How did PHTSB acquire its CPC? This boggles," he asked.