UiTM refutes claims hospital project will cost RM8.2b

(Bernama) – Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) today refuted claims by the opposition that the government would spend RM8.2 billion for the UiTM Hospital project at the Puncak Alam campus, here.

UiTM through a statement said the claim by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Rafizi Ramli in relation to the cost was not accurate.

“UiTM is unhappy with the incorrect information that was sensationalised by Rafizi with regard to the UiTM Hospital through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in Puncak Alam.

“UiTM has not signed a concession with any parties to build the hospital. The draft of the concession was sent to UiTM on July 14 and discussed by UiTM’s Board of Directors on October 22,” said the statement.

The university said the draft was still being studied to ensure the welfare of UiTM.

“The 400 bedded hospital has been proposed to be built on a 11.28 hectare site (28.19 acres),” said the statement in reference to a news portal’s report yesterday, quoting Rafizi as saying the project had been handed to a businessman who has a close relationship with Umno.

Rafizi had claimed that the cost for building the hospital would only incur RM599 million but the government had handed out the project for RM8.2 billion instead.