MEDIA STATEMENT: 28 February 2026. Warisan Penampang Calls for Immediate Healthcare Upgrades and
Clarity on KK3 Project
PENAMPANG
– Parti Warisan’s Penampang Division has urged both the Federal
and State Governments to prioritize
healthcare services in the district to meet the needs of its rapidly
growing population.
The
division’s Inobong District Election Coordinator, Simon Peter, said
numerous complaints have been received from the public regarding the
poor condition of the Penampang Polyclinic.
“During
our visit to the polyclinic today, we observed untrimmed branches and
overgrown shrubs along the road just outside the clinic’s main
gate, which are scratching vehicles entering and exiting the
compound. Inside the clinic grounds, numerous potholes are visible
along the internal roads,” he said.
Warisan
Penampang hopes that the Majlis Perbandaran Penampang
will coordinate with Sabah Electricity (SE)
to clear the shrubs and also with
the relevant road concessionaires to reseal the entire internal road
network within the clinic compound, as temporary cold-mix patchwork
solutions are unlikely to provide long-term durability.
Simon
also emphasized the urgent need to upgrade the clinic’s IT
infrastructure.
“The
Federal Government must improve the clinic’s IT system by procuring
new computers, laptops, printers, and servers. Nearly all
administrative and clinical functions rely on digital systems, and
outdated equipment only slows down service delivery,” he added.
However,
the most serious complaint concerns the waiting area outside the
building. Originally a parking lot converted into a waiting area
during the Covid-19 pandemic, the space lacks proper ventilation and
cooling, and the flooring remains dusty and uncomfortable for
patients.
“The
State Government should empathize with the heat, humidity, and
discomfort faced by Penampang residents by installing sufficient
cooling fans and properly paving and concreting the area,” he said.
Worn-out
chairs must also be replaced, and their numbers — along with
wheelchairs — should be increased to accommodate patients more
comfortably, he added.
Simon
was accompanied during the visit by Warisan’s Strategic
Communication Director, Christopher Masudal, Division Chief Jeffrey
Leiking, and committee members Michael Tann Jr. and Agnes Kinsil.
Meanwhile,
Christopher Masudal raised concerns regarding the status of the
proposed Class 3 Health Clinic (KK3) in Kg. Dambai, Penampang.
“News
reports in April 2023 indicated that JKR
was expected to conduct the tender process around October or November
2023, with construction scheduled to begin in 2024. However, during
our visit today, there were no visible signs of construction at the
site,” he said.
He
questioned whether the project remains on track or if delays have
occurred without public knowledge.
“The
Penampang Health Clinic project is a priority for our division and
for me personally, as it directly impacts the quality of healthcare
services for hundreds of thousands of current and future Penampang
residents,” Masudal added.
He
acknowledged that BN Penampang, particularly MCA Penampang, had
previously secured the proposal, with a groundbreaking ceremony
officiated by former Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2013. He also
noted that Warisan Deputy President Darell Leiking successfully
pushed for the project’s reinstatement under the 12th Malaysia Plan
(RMK12) during his tenure as Member of Parliament for Penampang and
Minister of International Trade and Industry from 2018 to 2020.
Masudal
emphasized that equitable healthcare development must reflect Sabah’s
significant contribution to national revenues.
“Sabah
has contributed approximately RM200 billion in upstream oil and gas
revenues to Malaysia between 2018 and 2024. Given such contributions,
it is only reasonable that Penampang receives equitable healthcare
infrastructure in return,” he said.
He
stressed that raising these issues is not about confrontation, but
about ensuring that Penampang’s legitimate interests are not
overlooked.
“We
cannot remain silent when our district’s legitimate interests are
at stake. Our responsibility is to speak up for better services for
our families, friends, and future generations,” he said.
Warisan
Penampang confirmed that it will continue to pursue the KK3 proposal
and broader healthcare improvements with determination and
persistence.
“We
have exercised patience over the years to allow others the
opportunity to deliver. However, the wellbeing of Penampang residents
must remain the priority,” Masudal concluded.
-Ends-
