Letter by Mimi
This is a sad story of Sarawak and the Sarawakians.
What went wrong in Sarawak?
From the photos taken at the Medical Ward at the Sibu in Hospital, no
one would believe Sarawak is one of the largest contributors to the
Federal fund.
End of Dec 2010, I spent some time caring for a relative who was
admitted at the Sibu Hospital. From the outside, this hospital looks
like a 3 star resort. However, inside the hospital, the story is
totally different.
This is 2011. How come there is no air conditioning in the Medical
ward (I didn’t have the time to check out the other wards)? During the
day, the ceiling fans are merely swirling warm, muggy air in the ward.
It’s so hot & balmy that the patients leave their tops unbuttoned
(yes, even the female patients).
Some patients brought their own table fans but were still too hot and
did not wear their hospital blouse. In the afternoons when the heat is
most unrelenting, the patients sweat and wet their pillow cases and
bedsheets, especially those who are unconscious or unable to turn on
their own.
Judging from the time I spent at this hospital, at least 80 per cent
of the patients are natives from the interiors of Sarawak. Many of these
patients are illiterate. They don’t know the definition of “standard
of living”. Whatever the condition of the hospital, they quietly accept
it. Do they have a choice?
At night, practically all the native carers sleep on the floor. If
they had come from the interior via public transport, they wouldn’t have
brought with them their own cumbersome lounge chair (if they could
afford it in the first place). The ward has plenty of unusable lounge
chairs dumped in the store room. We were lucky we could afford to buy a
decent lounge chair.
The restroom inside this Medical ward is wet and stinks of urine 24
hrs a day. There’s no toilet paper or soap. The soap dispensers are
devoid of liquid soap. It’s ironic that there are posters above the
soap dispensers reminding people to wash their hands but there’s no soap
provided.
The restroom outside (opposite the lifts) has no toilet paper either
and it also stinks of urine. By the way, there are only 2 toilet
cubicles in both the Men’s and Ladies’ Restroom. The ladies toilet near
the lifts are dimly lit. The only light is above the mirror. The blown
light bulb remains unchanged (it is now Feb, maybe the bulb has been
changed).
The corridor outside the Medical ward is very wide but not a single
chair was in sight. It was a sorrowful sight to see such the relatives
of the patients huddle together on the floor. They probably came from
too far interior to go home and they were taking turns to care for the
patient. There is restricted number of visitors allowed to care for
each patient by their bedside.
Is Sarawak so short of funds that it is not possible to make the Sibu
Hospital (and other district hospitals in the state) more hospitable?
I suspect the state of the hospital has been left status quo for many
years because majority of the patients who come here are really poor
and not knowledgeable or even illiterate, hence, they don’t complain.
Yet, when it comes to garnering for votes, our
PM Najib Razak so blatently dangled RM5 million in front of the noses of the people of Sibu.
I had sent these pictures to the Star and the New Straits Times however, neither of them were interested in the story.
Perhaps Mr. Wong can look into this. We must really improve the Sibu
Hospital and other government hospitals in the state. We contribute
so much in petroleum revenue. Why should our hospitals be in such a
sorry state?
Thank you.
Apa Pun Boleh
Pictures :
Admirable Vision & Mission
Carers sleeping on the floor
Carers of patients resting on the floor
Carers sleeping on the floor
Carers sleeping on the floor
Carers sleeping on the floor
The ONLY usable lounge chair on night of Jan 1, 2011
The rest of the lounge chairs – spoilt
This lounge chair is spoilt too
Posters all over regarding washing hands
Soap dispenser that has no soap
Wash hands with soap poster but dispenser is soapless
Ladies toilet in the dark
The light above the toilet cubicle has blown
The only light is at the sink
img
src=”http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5433286210_87c19cef82.jpg”
width=”500″ height=”375″ alt=”6. Wide corridor outside the medical ward
but nothing for visitors to sit” />
Wide corridor outside the medical ward but nothing for visitors to sit
Just outside the Medical Ward, no chairs
No air-con, it is unbearably hot & balmy during the day
If its minister has plenty of fund for properties in Canada, England etc, surely he can afford to upgrade the Sibu Hospital and other district hospitals in the state.
Why not add a photo of a hospital attendant furiously peddling away on a parked bicycle in order to light up a bulb as the dynamo is rotated by the turning wheel.
In Shah Alam, we have an uncompleted hospital despite hundreds of millions having been spent – the contract having been awarded to the Sultan’s sister. Then we have the story of the Serdang hospital which initially had non-functioning aircons, and now have leaking ceilings – built by an UMNO crony.
My mother-in-law who care for my wife, has to sleep on the floor for 8 days. The hot water is unfiltered, with scent of chlorine taste, plus it’s not “clear”.
Another time I was there when my wife had some complicated, in the emergency room, the nurses and doctor were arguing about certain medication not being available.
Also is the frequent black out, even at the hospital. Imagine if that happen during surgeries.
The ultrasound scanner, looks outdated, compare to those in Peninsular’s clinic
At the clinic, one time they ran out of Hg test strip, so they can’t check my wife’s hemoglobin level, which is an important health indicator for a pregnant woman.
So sad to be a Sarawakian. What happen to the earning from all those natural resources we have here, petroleum, timber, coal, natural gas, oil palm and many more.
Those BN/UMNO suckers suck off! They keep sucking until their last breath…
Under those BN/UMNO suckers; you will be living like those in Hati http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/7278598.html
You can bet that the hospital is grossly overpriced…if one cares to check up the original tender prices and how many time renovated or repaired/replace this and that.
Will Najib care to glance through all the photos and write up and respond?
After all hew claims to be People’s PM…and his “People First” slogan.
Lives are not precious to UMNO B crooks.
Money in whichever ways the can grab is.
What kind of Muslims are these?
Sultan Sulu coronation in Sabah
The fact that there are innumerable claimants to the Sulu sultanate is public knowledge.
But to have a joker by the name of Abjan Ali to install himself in a self-styled coronation in Sabah as Sultan of Sulu is a direct and no joke challenge to Malaysia’s sovereignty over Sabah and an insult to the our Malaysian Sultans and our Sabah Head of State. This so-called “Sultan of Sulu”, complete with a “Prime Minster” of a government-in-exile expect people of Sulu descent to pledge loyalty to him, and not to our Malaysian Agung, our constitution and nation. The security implications are obvious and serious.
In 1995 or 1996, Abjan and several other UMNO operatives were detained under the Internal Security Act for the manufacturing of fake identity cards. I need say no more about this person except that Abjan is an active UMNO member. What is UMNO going to do about him?
If the Malaysian government does nothing to stop such flagrant violation of Malaysia’s sovereignty over Sabah, then Sabahans will being to wonder what it means to be a Malaysian.
http://sapphq.blogspot.com/2011/02/sultan-sulu-coronation-in-sabah.html
To accommodate 70 patients in a ward mend for 40 beds only, additional beds are arranged next to each other with no space in between some of them. This actually promotes cross transmission of infections among patients. The bed occupancy rate is more than 150%. With so limited space to work in, the health care staffs are facing difficulty to deliver their best service to the patients. This in even worse during visiting hours, with patient’s visitors cramming the wards. On many occasions the staffs had difficulty to push the resuscitation trolleys and other life-monitoring/saving equipments to the collapsed patients for resuscitation because the pathways are too narrow in between the beds which are so closed to each other.
Some times when there is no more beds available for newly admitted patients at night, these sick patients have to seat on chairs throughout the whole night till the next morning waiting for the doctors to discharge other patients so that beds are available for this new patients. Some of the patients have to sleep in beds just outside the stinking toilet and some at the ward entrance.
These problems have been going on for many years and have even been reported in the newspaper but still not solved by any higher authority.
When the VIPs got admitted, the first thing they will demand for is the first class ward. But when the problems above are being reported to the VIPs who are responsible, the first thing they will do is immediately change the topic of discussion.
These same fellas do not even bother to visit the medicals wards so that they can avoid solving the problems.
No point building mega/tallest buildings, F1 tracks or other glamor fancy projects or even talk about the most advanced medical treatment, when the government can’t even provide us the most basic human needs, which is proper health care. Wealth is meaningless if you do not have a good health.
When the better informed start to write articles critical of you, you divert attention by bringing up issues of race and religion. You get Utusan to write hate stories of how these “outsiders” threaten the economic wellbeing of goreng pisang stalls. You get your buddy Ibrahim Katak to foam at the mouth and shout expletives at the “outsiders”.
You give a 75 year old Chinese his citizenship papers and the STAR headlines the story. You give a donation to a Hindu temple and this also becomes headline news.
Who says that stealing is such a difficult task ?
HARD TRUTHS
By Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on February 10, 2011 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)
///1. A new book on Lee Kuan Yew has appeared with the title “Lee Kuan Yew – Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.” It is a collection of 16 interviews with Lee Kuan Yew by Singapore journalists.
2. What is the hard truth which will keep Singapore going? It is, according to Lee Kuan Yew the vulnerability of Singapore. Without saying so in so many words, Lee Kuan Yew believes that the island’s neighbours would war against it if it has no military capacity to defend itself. The United Nations would not help Singapore in the event of such an attack.
3. Even America would not defend Singapore despite the Security Framework Agreement. America went to the aid of Kuwait because of oil, but Singapore’s problem is water. ///– Mamakthir
The statements by LKY are reasonable and based on facts and right perception. Singapore had problems in water until Malaysian leader in the person of Mamakthir convinced them that they should not depend on water from Malaysian rivers.
///4. Kuan Yew blamed me for stopping sand supply from Malaysia. I was quoted as saying, “Even at their present size they are trouble, you let them grow some more they will be more trouble.” Rhetorically he then asked the journalist present, “We’ve got friendly neighbours? Grow up.” ///– Mamakthir
Mamakthir equated sand with land and claimed that selling sand was like selling land. So, the sale of sand has been politicised. Jealousy against Singapore achieving its planned development, as Mamakthir said in his unguarded moment was the real cause. Indeed the issue of linking sand and land helped to divert attention, particularly corruption in the country which has resulted in Malaysians exporting 888 billion ringgit in illegal transfers to foreign countries.
///5. I may have said that, though I cannot remember. But is that an indication that we intend to invade Singapore?///–Mamakthir
There is no difference in the technique used in the RCI on Lingam tapes when Mamakthir chose the moment to claim amnesia. It was not an issue of whether Malaysia under Mamakthir had the intention to invade Singapore; the issue is capability to do so.
///6. Singapore had been taking large quantities of sand from the sea-bed east of Johore and also in the Strait of Malacca. As a result the coast has been eroded in places. Taking one billion cubic meters more of sand in these seas would cause serious erosion.///– Mamakthir
One billion cubic meter of sand at one meter dept needs an area of 30 KM square. That must have been the argument of butterfly effect should there be erosion on the coast line of Johore. Mamakthir was fond of using environmental argument to justify his case. He claimed that the bridge to replace the Causeway was out of concern for water to move across the cross way. It would be cheaper to pump the water across the cause way for that.
///7. In addition the fish-breeding ground will be destroyed and this will affect Malaysian fishermen. ///–Mamakthir
The loss of income through fisheries out of 30 KM square will take a hundred years to match what is gained through sale of sea sand. The breeding ground would recover soon enough by throwing in disused tyres.
///8. As to the trouble caused by Singapore; in the 22 years of my premiership I was not able to resolve any of the problems with Singapore. These are the Central Provident Fund, the railway land, the operation of the Malayan Railway in Singapore and the water price. Additionally the reclamation in the Tebrau Strait was affecting the deep water shipping lane for ships to and from Pasir Gudang Port. The only problem solved was the unilateral decision of Malaysia to give up the naval base in Woodlands after Singapore kept raising the lease payments. Malaysia did not ask for even a single cent as compensation for the facilities it has installed at the base.///–Mamakthir
So the problems lie with Mamakthir. Najib solved the railway land issue in less than two years.
///9. As for Singapore’s military planes flying over Malaysian air space, Malaysia had the right to disallow such flights for many reasons. Singapore would certainly not like to have Malaysian military planes flying over Singapore. ///–Mamakthir
Mamakthir exercised what he claimed to be his rights as well as what is not his rights too.
///10. When we wanted to build a bridge to replace the congested causeway Singapore was not forthcoming.///–Mamakthir
When Singapore wanted to fly Singapore military planes over Malaysian air space, Malaysia was not forthcoming too.
///11. All this while Malaysia had been supplying raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons. Even to Melaka, Johore is paid 30 cent per thousand gallons. Negotiations to raised the price of water failed repeatedly. The first agreement will end this year. We will continue to supply raw water at 3 sen per thousand gallons until 2061 under the second agreement.///– Mamakthir
Mamakthir failed as a PM to negotiate a revised price for water when the contract specified the time to do so, in the 1980s. Having failed that, Mamakthir can only cover up his failure by resorting to arguing that the price was unfair. The deal is based on contract and Malaysia can take Singapore to international court, like the case of Pulau Batu Blanca.
///12. Yes, we buy treated water at a subsidised price of 50 cent per thousand gallons. We are willing to forego the supply and treat our water ourselves. ///–Mamakthir
If giving up the right to treated waters was voluntary, Singapore would be willing to oblige. But as a term for negotiation, the offer depends on the wishes of the other party.
///13. It was Malaysia which suggested that both countries submit claims to Pulau Batu Puteh to the international court. The court decided that the rock belongs to Singapore even though it is nearer Malaysia. But two other rocks further from Malaysia but nearer Singapore were awarded to Malaysia.
14. Malaysia’s willingness to go to the International Court is hardly in keeping with a country which harbours the intention to invade Singapore.///–Mamakthir
The few rocks are hardly worth fighting when there is no guarantee that invasion would work. Mamakthir only knows how to bully, and intention means little.
///15. Kuan Yew cried when Singapore left Malaysia. We thought that it was the separation which had saddened him. But now he tells us that it was because “I left behind tens of thousands of people who had joined our rallies”. Kuan Yew might remember that despite the huge crowds attending the PAP rallies, the party won only one seat.///– Mamakthir
If the leaders of Sabah did not go down in the small plan carrying 6 state ministers in Sabah in 1966, they would have shown Mamakthir that the support people have for LKY as a PM for Malaysia was not limited to only one seat the PAP gained. The success of Singapore compared to the level of corruption in Malaysia and the dysfunctional government institutions in Malaysia making Malaysians the lowest income earners in South East Asia make many a Malaysian including Malays wonder how we have missed the chance to make Malaysia a second Japan. That opportunity was removed by Malay ultras Jafar Albar who created riots in Singapore in 1964 during the procession celebrating Prophet Mohamad’s birth day. Khutty brought the worst gift to Malaysia if Ling Liong Sik is allowed to restate what he thought of Mamakthir now that LLS is being charged because Mamakthir could be claiming amnesia during cabinet meeting and that LLS failed to remind him that as Finance Minister Mamakthir had himself decided on the land price for PKFZ.
///16. The PAP supporters immediately formed the DAP to fight the cause promoted by the PAP after the separation. The DAP is alive and well today in Malaysia. In fact it now rules Penang state.///– Mamakthir
The fact that DAP remains a responsible political party shows that dirty games do not succeed all the time.
///17. But the rump UMNO left in Singapore could not survive in the hostile atmosphere created by the PAP Government. For that matter no other political party has been allowed to function properly in Singapore.///– Mamakthir
It is difficult to believe that the person who said that is a medical doctor and much less a Prime Minister. It just shows that Malaysians are simply unfortunate to have such leader ruling the country, and for two decades. What is worse is his influence lives on with the succeeding Prime Ministers
///18. Kuan Yew claims all these opposition people are duds and must not be allowed to rule Singapore or even to be in the opposition. This is a frank admission that he determines who should represent the people of Singapore, not the people themselves as in a democracy. If there is any more proof needed that Singapore is a totalitarian state, this admission by Kuan Yew confirms it.///– Mamakthir
Mamakthir cannot be so naïve that opposition parties in Singapore has disappeared when LKY said they were useless. There are regular elections in Singapore, and they did not use postal votes like here in Malaysia. Besides Singapore leaders did not play politics with race and religion to get elected. If government elected through elections is not democratic, how different is Malaysia when it claims it practises democracy?
///19. Now Kuan Yew is urging Muslims not to hold to the teachings of Islam too strictly. Most Muslims are in breach in their practice of Islam. But it is not for others to tell the Muslims that they should renege on their practice of Islam to facilitate integration in Singapore. In Malaysia we try to live with our differences. Our integration is not perfect because we are sensitive to the sensitivities of our people. We do not ask people to forsake their religious practices so we can integrate.///– Mamakthir
Dead body snatch to be buried in the place the religious department decides only happen in Malaysia. Mamakthir claimed that Malaysia is tanah Melayu and non-Melayu, should forgo their culture. That is worse than LKY telling Muslims not to hold the teaching of the religion too strictly. When the term too strictly is used, it means that it is not the normal way the religion is practised. When one suggests not to hold too strictly to certain practices, it just means that one should not be doing things in excess, veer too much to be an extremist. That might be too much for Mamakthir to comprehend.
///20. Malaysia has no intention to attack Singapore even if it is militarily weak. Even in my time there was no such intention. In fact we wanted to continue to supply Singapore with water, but at a fair price. I don’t think my successors harbour any intention to do harm to Singapore. These are the hard truths. Competition in trade and shipping does not mean war, or a threat of war.///– Mamakthir
Trade can certainly end in war. When Singapore buys military hardware, they are worth every cent paid. Malaysia bought the initially un-submersible Scorpene submarines and paid some 500 million ringgit to a service contract, most probably irrelevant. Malaysia is spending a billion ringgit a piece for patrol boats. These machines can’t match the power of military hardware Singapore had.
///21. But one thing is certain: if Singapore treats Malaysia and Indonesia as its enemies then you must expect them to prepare for their defence. Even if it may not lead to war there will be tension and there will be an arms race. And much money will be wasted.///– Mamakthir
It is wise to hope for the best and prepared for the worst. The examples of UMNOputras bullying Malaysians are for all to see. With that track records Malaysia gives the impression that it is ever ready to bully given the chance. It is sensible to treat people as potential enemy until they prove themselves friends.
///22. It would be far better if Mr Lee, the Minister Mentor of Singapore stop thinking about being vulnerable and that its neighbours harbour the intention to invade it. As with Pulau Batu Puteh, Sipadan and Ligitan our preference is for negotiation, arbitration or an international court’s decision. ///–Mamakthir
If Mamakthir’s is really neighbourly, he would not have distorted the fact that Malays in Singapore live up to the expectation of good citizens whom the late Tun Dr Ismail would be proud of, that they do not belong to the special position where assistance such as those given to the endangered species was needed. Mamakthir tried to incite Malays in Singapore to hate the government, and yet he advises LKY not to feel vulnerable. Did Malaysia under him harbour good intention towards Singapore?
///23. Remember Malaysia gave up Singapore peacefully. We did not try to use force to keep Singapore or to suppress its people. ///– Mamakthir
Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak together with Malaya formed Malaysia. It is natural that Singapore leaves peacefully when the arrangement could not work out. It was Tunku who had the right perception of the issue. Malaysia did not give up Singapore as though Singapore subordinates to Malaysia. It is the thought that Sabah and Sarawak are subordinates to Malaysia that the natives of Sabah and Sarawak are treated as second class people classified as the protected species under article 153.
Najib – time to visit Sibu again and say, “You vote for me, tomorrow come to my office to collect lounge chairs and soap.”
mUHYIDDIN MIGHT ADD: “iF U DONT VOTE FOR bn, Sibu-ites will all eat Moo-tahi.”