Going by BN's track record of looking after the rakyat e.g. toll agreement, electricity tariff or even fuel subsidy turned into fuel tax, I wouldn't be holding my breath that the promise he made as per The Star today, will happen.
Published: Thursday December 18, 2008 MYT 7:38:00 PM
PM: Take over of IJN only allowed if poor taken care
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will only allow the private sector to take over the National Heart Institute (IJN) if they fulfilled their responsibilities to the poor, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister said there might be good in Sime Darby Bhd’s bid to buy a stake in IJN because with privatisation, more people would have access to treatment despite rising operation and medicine costs.
“It should not matter if the party who wants to take over can give an assurance that the low-income group will be able to seek treatment there and charged reasonable rates,” he said.
“There are criticisms on the move to allow the private sector to buy a stake in IJN, that this will result in a hike in fees.
“At the same time, we have to adapt to changes in the field of medicine and equipment.
“The best experts are also needed, who may need higher remunerations. More beds are also needed.
“All this incur additional costs. The deal depends on many things in the negotiations.
“The Government needs to look into this carefully,” he told reporters at his office in Parliament House on Thursday.
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