Holding the government accountable is the responsibility of every politician and an essential component of any democratic system. However, whenever concerns are raised regarding public policies or issues affecting the people, there are always those who resort to the rhetoric of “don't politicise the issue”, attempting to divert attention from shortcomings in the performance of the relevant authorities.
What matters to the people is whether a problem is resolved, not who raises it.
Faced with major bread-and-butter issues such as inadequate public healthcare resources and the prolonged delay in the construction of a government hospital, the government should respond directly to public concerns rather than using “do not politicise the issue” as a convenient shield.
Petaling Jaya comprises two parliamentary constituencies and six state constituencies. Since 2008, with the exception of the Taman Medan state seat, which is currently represented by Perikatan Nasional, all parliamentary and state seats in Petaling Jaya have been held by representatives from Pakatan Rakyat or Pakatan Harapan.
Today, both the Federal Government and the Selangor Government are led by Pakatan Harapan. Having control over administrative resources at both the federal and state levels, Pakatan Harapan has no justification for continuing to deflect responsibility when responding to the people’s concerns.
The lack of a government hospital in Petaling Jaya is not a new issue. It has been a longstanding problem affecting local residents for many years. Over the past 18 years, how many times have members of Parliament and assemblymen from Petaling Jaya raised this matter in Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly?
More importantly, what concrete measures have they taken to advance the construction of a government hospital?
Beyond building a new hospital that should have been established long ago to meet local development and growing demand, the government also has a responsibility to strengthen and upgrade the facilities, services and budget allocations of existing hospitals and clinics. This is equally important and must not be overlooked.
While planning for a new hospital, the government must ensure that existing healthcare facilities continue to receive the attention and support they require.
The people also deserve to know why the land issues that have hindered the Petaling Jaya hospital project for so many years remain unresolved.
In the past, some members of Parliament from Petaling Jaya were appointed as Federal ministers, while certain assemblymen served as Selangor executive councillors. Did they actively raise and push this matter during Cabinet meetings and State Executive Council meetings to ensure the hospital project could be implemented as soon as possible? These are questions that deserve answers from those concerned.
MCA is disappointed over remarks made by Amanah secretary-general Mohd Faiz Fadzil, who suggested that the ethnic composition of an area should be one of the considerations in determining the location of the proposed Petaling Jaya Hospital.
The role of a government hospital is to serve the people, and healthcare planning should be based on objective criteria such as population density, healthcare demand, patient volume, accessibility and the overall coverage of medical services, rather than ethnic composition or even income background.
Healthcare is a fundamental right for all citizens.
Regardless of race, religion or income level, every Malaysian deserves fair and adequate access to public healthcare services.
In planning hospital development, the government must adhere to professional and equitable principles, placing the interests of the people above all else, rather than allowing racial considerations to influence public healthcare planning.
The residents of Petaling Jaya have waited more than 18 years for a government hospital.
What the people need now is not more explanations, but concrete action and a clear timeline.
The government has a responsibility to provide the public with an update on the progress of the hospital project and to fulfil its commitment without further delay, by addressing the longstanding shortage of healthcare resources faced by residents.
Datuk Ir Lawrence Low
MCA Selangor State Liaison Committee Chairman
MCA Vice-President
