GEORGE TOWN: Claims that Hospital Bukit Mertajam 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 said 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 board said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
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 has been pursued by the hospital and the Board of Visitors since 2023 to accommodate the increasing number of patients, including those from districts such as Kulim.
“The Penang state government has supported the proposal by providing eight acres (3.237ha) of land, and the project is currently undergoing the approval process by the Health Ministry,” it 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.
