Maran folk praying Budget 2023 addresses long overdue hospital project

MARAN - Over 140,000 residents in this district have been deprived of hospital facilities, with a long overdue RM350 million project yet to be implemented.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's assertion that the 2023 Budget be reviewed and not to have ties with the previous budget meant that the Maran Hospital project which was approved under the 2023 Budget presented by former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob before the 15th General Election (GE15) is again cast into uncertainty.

The project was initially approved in the era of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak but it faced several delays following the political turmoil since 2018.

A vendor Azizi Mohamed Soffie, 49, said he hopes for the project would be realised as it has been delayed for too long.

"Don't play around with the hearts of the people anymore, several ground breaking ceremonies were done, but no progress has been made.

"I hope the unity government will consider this project for the sake of the people," he said.

Mimi Syam Sumgit, 46, said even though there were several hospitals in Jengka and Temerloh, the distance continued to inconvenience residents.

"The site has changed several times but the hospital has not been constructed until now.

"I hope this project can be given serious consideration and be listed in the current budget," said the senior citizen activity centre supervisor.

Tourism entrepreneur Juhari Che Lah, 49, appealed for the project to continue as it had previously been approved.

"It is no longer an issue of which leader or party that brought this project, currently it is for the needs of people who require healthcare," she said.

The most recent construction site for the Maran Hospital was at Kampung Batu 55, Jalan Kuala Sentul-Maran.