SHAH ALAM, May 29 — The proposed construction of a hospital in Petaling Jaya must be included in Budget 2027 and implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to ensure the healthcare facility can be realised without delay.
Kampung Tunku state assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei said the move is important to ensure that the commitment to build a public hospital in the area is not further postponed, while strengthening access to public healthcare services for residents around the city.
The Health Ministry (MOH) should secure allocations in Budget 2027 to enable earlier processes, including land acquisition and preparation, plan approvals, infrastructure capacity assessments, and project management.
“Work financed through Budget 2027 must also ensure that this project is included in the nearest 13MP Rolling Plan cycle, most likely RP3 in 2028.
“The third important milestone to ensure progress of the project is the Mid-Term Review of the Malaysia Plan, which is expected in the third quarter of 2028,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Lim also welcomed the announcement by the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari regarding the finalisation of the public hospital site for Petaling Jaya.
However, the state government and MOH must act swiftly to resolve land administration matters, including the land conversion process, so that the project can be finalised as soon as possible.
Early action is crucial as land costs in the Klang Valley continue to rise and could affect project planning if the land acquisition process is delayed.
“Early preparation of financing mechanisms and land conversion processes can help reduce the risk of the final acquisition cost becoming too expensive for MOH, which could lead to the need to identify another site.
“To avoid a repeat of previous situations, land administration matters must be negotiated and implemented immediately so that this project can truly be finalised,” she said.
Lim also proposed interim solutions to increase public healthcare capacity while awaiting the hospital's completion, which is expected to take between three and five years.
Petaling Jaya's residents still require access to urgent and affordable healthcare services throughout that period.
“Healthcare must remain a public good that is not disrupted by austerity measures and protected from profiteering.
“If we do not move away from an austerity mindset or demonstrate commitment in addressing workforce shortages, fair wages, excessive workloads or overcrowding, the new hospital in PJ may still struggle to meet the healthcare needs of residents,” she said.
