Claims Of Bukit Mertajam Hospital Relocation Untrue - Board Of Visitors

GEORGE TOWN, March 23 (Bernama) -- Claims that the Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) will be relocated to avoid disturbing a temple in the area are untrue, defamatory and made with malicious intent, according to the hospital’s Board of Visitors.

The board, in a statement today, said that a visit by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, in his capacity as Bukit Mertajam MP, to the hospital on Sept 14, 2025, did not touch on any temple-related issue and instead focused on efforts to upgrade hospital facilities for the well-being of the people.

“The defamatory statement spread on social media clearly contains elements of racial and religious incitement, which could undermine social harmony and create public confusion,” the statement said.

According to the statement, there is no issue about relocating the hospital building; rather, there is a proposal to construct a new building, with the existing structure remaining in place.

“The proposed additional block for HBM has been pursued by the hospital and the Board of Visitors since 2023 to accommodate the increasing number of patients, including those from other districts such as Kulim, Kedah.

“The Penang state government has supported the proposal by providing eight acres (3.237 hectares) of land, and the project is currently undergoing the approval process by the Health Ministry (MOH),” the statement said.

Earlier, a Facebook post went viral alleging that Sim had said the hospital would be relocated to avoid disturbing a temple in the area, accompanied by images of his visit to the hospital.

As such, the board has urged the authorities to investigate the owner of the Facebook account and take firm action in accordance with the law.

“HBM is a healthcare institution that serves all people regardless of race and religion. All improvement efforts are for the well-being of the community, not for the interests of any particular party,” it said.

-- BERNAMA