HOSPITAL FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS

Media release from Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (PPM-005-14-22052017)

On 6 February 2018. 6/2018.

HOSPITAL FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS TO BE BUILT IN IPOH, PERAK AT A COST OF RM 500 MILLION MAY BE VIABLE

 

The New Straits Times dated 3 February reported that the government will build an armed forces veteran hospital estimated to cost RM500 million on a 28,500 square meter land belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces at Gua Permai Camp, Tambun, Ipoh, Perak. No time frame for the completion of the hospital was reported, and should this project materialized, it will be the first ever dedicated veteran hospital to be built, the Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein mentioned during his visit to the proposed site. 

While veterans generally welcome the construction of the hospital, we at the National Patriot Association (Patriot) however wish to question the viability of the proposal, and to offer a proposition that we think could better serve the veterans; minimizing unnecessary administrative problems to them. 

Veterans are all over the country, and especially those of the lower ranks will be disadvantaged to travel the distance for a medical treatment because of age, and for some being physically disabled. It would be rather foolish for a veteran who had settled down in Johore, for instance, to travel to Ipoh for a medical treatment. Likewise, it would be even worse or absurd for veterans from Sabah and Sarawak to travel to Ipoh for a medical treatment. 

Rather than building the hospital in Ipoh, it would serve veterans better if the defence ministry builds a dedicated veteran medical unit alongside existing government hospitals that are found in all states. There are several advantages to this proposal. First, veterans do not have to travel long distances to visit the hospital since government hospitals are available in every state. Second, scarce medical resources could be shared between the government hospital and the veteran medical unit. Third, government hospitals generally have better medical facilities and the staffs are more experience in the handling patients. 

The Malaysian Armed Forces have hospitals at Camp Terendak, Malacca, RMN Base Lumut, Perak, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Hospital Tuanku Mizan in Kuala Lumpur. Similarly veteran medical units could also be built alongside these hospitals, giving a much wider spread of dedicated veteran medical units all over the country that veteran could go to, rather than just the one veteran hospital at Ipoh, Perak. 

Patriot feels strongly that such medical services should also be extended to retired police personnel. They too served alongside the Malaysian Armed Forces in defending the nation. They deserved to be treated well and ought to be given equal treatment as that of their brethrens of the armed forces.

BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)

President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan 

(PPM-005-14-22052017)

Lumut owes its prosperity to the Royal Malaysian Navy

It was a quiet fishing village in Manjung district in the good old days. Lumut underwent rapid transformation when the Royal Malaysian Navy made the town the “Home of the Navy” in 1979. It never look back since then.

Lumut MP Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the population influx had also led to the development of new townships in the district, such as Seri Manjung, about 8km from Lumut, to meet their housing needs.

Not a sleepy hollow: Lumut enjoys growth potential thanks to a bustling maritime industry.

There are about 19,000 navy personnel at the Lumut Naval Base out of the 223,800 population in Manjung.

Kong said many retired navy personnel and their family members also chose to stay here and contribute to the district’s population, growth and development.

He said there were ample maritime-related job opportunities available in Lumut for retired navy personnel who possessed relevant skills.

Born and bred in Sitiawan — about 10km from Lumut — Kong recalled Lumut as a quiet fishing village with few residents living in wooden houses three decades ago; a stark contrast to the busy tourist town it is now.

“Manjung experienced expansion of its road network, telecommunication system and mushrooming of public amenities since the navy descended on Lumut.

“The locals have not only adapted well to the change, but also participated alongside the development of Lumut and its neighbouring towns,” said Kong, who has been serving as Lumut’s MP for three terms.

But development does come with a price though.

Doing their bit: The large population of navy and ex-navy personnel and their families are a major drive for Manjung’s economy.

Manjung municipal councillor Loo Ming Cheong said there was a 500% increase in the price of single storey terrace houses now compared to in the 1970s.
“A single storey terrace house in Seri Manjung cost about RM100,000 now,” he said, adding that the township also housed the local administrative building, Manjung Hospital, sports complexes and shops.
Loo said Lumut was more of a commercial district nowadays, adding that many people who set up their business in the navy town were staying in Sitiawan or neighouring townships.
He said the navy — apart from being a growth catalyst — also played an active role in community development.
For instance, they organised activities to help the poor and made recommendations to the local council on how to improve their living conditions

Jalan Padang Tembak, Telok Muroh, Lumut

This one road, from Manjung, Ipoh or elsewhere to go to Naval Base via Harimau 1, or Main Gate and to Telok Batik. Where else people want to go if they use this road?
Along the road we have complete set up, a quarry, muslim cemetary, kampung melayu, india and cina. Apartment, water world and the latest sensation is Marina xxxx.

This road is two way road, actually already conjusted on daily usage,especially during school holiday when people want to go to Telok Batik, Soccer match, or whenever Navy had their event.Its about 10km from Siput trafic light to the end of telok Muroh in Telok Batik.

From the main junction, you will see fruit stalls, KedaI nASI CAMPOR BAWAH POKOK,quarry, cemetary, surau, pasar malam,kedai roti canai, paintball site, etc

Lumut and manjung In Maps