CLAIMS have emerged on social media that the Bukit Mertajam Hospital in Penang will be relocated.
The viral social media post also included an image of Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, who is also Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, visiting the hospital.
Is it true that the Bukit Mertajam Hospital will be relocated?
VERDICT:
FALSE
The Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) Board of Visitor denies that the hospital would be relocated, saying any claims that it would move to avoid disturbing a temple in the area are untrue, defamatory and made with malicious intent.
The board, in a statement Monday (March 23), said that Sim's visit to the hospital on Sept 14, 2025, did not touch on any temple-related issues 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 read.
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 3.237ha of land, and the project is currently undergoing the approval process by the Health Ministry," the statement added.
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
