THE authorities should drop their investigations against CodeBlue editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn and release the findings of an independent inquiry into the 2016 fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), said a top Selangor government official.

In a statement, Selangor executive councillor Teng Chang Khim said the journalist should not be investigated when the inquiry’s report has been declassified. 

“Why hasn’t the Perikatan Nasional government released the HSA fire investigation report to the public after it was declassified by the Pakatan Harapan government? What are they trying to hide? Who are they protecting?” he asked.

Teng was responding to police investigations on Boo’s reports about the 2016 fire at the hospital in which six patients died.

The website had published four news articles based on the Health Ministry’s inquiry committee in March this year.

The articles touched on how the hospital and the ministry did not comply with fire safety requirements, and also questioned why legal action was not taken. 

Teng said the independent inquiry’s findings, according to Boo’s reports, are a damning indictment of poor fire safety practices at the hospital for nearly 15 years during the Barisan Nasional administration.  

“Those responsible at the ministry reportedly did not seem to take fire safety seriously. HSA had operated illegally without a fire certificate since 2002. 

“The inquiry also revealed that Medivest Sdn Bhd, a hospital support services company serving HSA, provided malfunctioning fire extinguishers.  

“HSA management complained to Medivest about alleged falsifications of data.”

Teng questioned why no action was taken even after police reports were lodged against Medivest.  

“Two HSA workers filed police complaints against Medivest in 2015 and 2016 about the alleged forgery of their rubber stamps and signatures. 

“Why didn’t police and the ministry, under the BN government, take any action against Medivest then?” 

Teng also said that it is crucial the PN government answers all these questions instead of taking action against the media.  

“Why was Medivest’s concession agreement renewed in 2015 for another 10 years, without open tender? Who is behind Medivest?  

“The inquiry also found that Medivest didn’t even insure HSA, a clear breach of the concession agreement. And the fire cost the government, and taxpayers, almost RM9 million and six lives.” 

He also said any elements of negligence or corruption that possibly contributed to deaths in the HSA blaze, must not be covered up. 

“It has been four years since the fire. Yet, no heads have rolled despite the loss of lives.  

“No one has been held accountable. PN should make the report publicly available as recommended by the inquiry, and immediately act on the findings of the report. 

“We owe it to those who lost their lives in this fire, to ensure that this never happens again.” – June 28, 2020.