KUCHING, Oct. 28 -- Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has questioned whether Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen understands the financial and operational realities behind his proposal for the Sarawak government to establish state-owned private hospitals that charge public hospital rates for Sarawakians.

He said such an idea may seem appealing but in reality, it is not feasible without understanding the true cost of running a hospital.

He pointed out that if such a hospital were to be built, it would essentially mirror the existing Sarawak Heart Centre model, which was constructed by the state government but operated by the federal Ministry of Health (MoH).

"Considering the procedures at our Heart Centre, a procedure to unblock a heart...