News: (NST)Health Ministry in the dark over work

2007/09/04

THE Health Ministry is in the dark over why demolition work had started at the Sungai Buloh Leprasarium.

Its parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon was surprised by the contractor’s actions as he had been directed to stop demolition work two weeks ago.

"The buildings have historical value and we are going to preserve part of the buildings. I do not know why the demolition works continued. I need to clarify this with my ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Dr Nasir Ashraf."

He said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had proposed that part of the buildings be turned into a heritage site. Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had agreed.

Lee said the issue was not about the patients as the ministry could relocate them to better facilities.
"I don’t think the patients are the problem. The issue is preserving part of the buildings."

Meanwhile, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the area had yet to be earmarked as a heritage site.

He said Universiti Teknologi Mara had been given the green light by the Finance Ministry to build a hospital there.

"I have no knowledge on the status of negotiations between the various ministries."

Source: NSTonline