Shahelmey …………………………………….. Christina
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-being, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya said it is hoped that the ongoing construction of the new hospital building (as an extension to the Tawau Hospital) will be completed within the time frame as agreed upon.
He was replying to Api Api Assemblywoman Datuk Christina Liew while delivering his winding-up speech for his ministry at the 16th State Legislative Assembly sitting on Wednesday.
Liew expressed concern over the delayed completion and wanted to know the progress of works.
According to Shahelmey, the shortage of workers and imposition of a full lockdown last year had contributed to the delay.
“Workers from China returned home for the Chinese New Year festival in 2020, and could not come back to Sabah as they were caught up in the movement control order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he explained.
“The Tawau Hospital Upgrade project is behind schedule. Continuing non-completion of the new hospital will affect the public delivery of healthcare services to the people of Tawau.
‘Furthermore, there is a rising demand for such services, given an increase in the size of the district population,” Liew told the Assembly.
The project was supposed to have been completed in May 2020 under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020).
However, it was only 60pc completed, according to the Health Minister who visited Tawau in September this year.
Meanwhile, on the water supply situation, Liew, who is also MP for Tawau, requested the Minister of Public Works, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to invite elected representatives from the Opposition to join him on his next visit to the district, while the latter was winding up the 2022 State budget debate for his ministry.
