Labuan MP appeals for extended UTC operating hours

LABUAN, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli has appealed to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to consider extending the operating hours of the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) following a public outcry over a lack of medical facilities after 5 pm.

The Labuan UTC, besides accommodating the National Registration Department and Immigration Department offices, also houses a Klinik Kesihatan (Health Clinic) which has received an overwhelming response from not only Labuan folk but also people living in Menumbok and Kuala Penyu in Sabah and Miri in Sarawak.

“We are appealing to the ministry to consider our appeal due to the high demand from the people of all levels who frequently patronise the Klinik Kesihatan for medical treatment and medicines in the evening after 5 pm,” he told a press conference after visiting the clinic today accompanied by Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari.

The operating hours of the Labuan UTC, as well as the UTCs in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Tawau in Sabah and Kuching, Miri and Sibu in Sarawak, were reduced on Jan 22 to 8 am to 5 pm from 8 am to 9 pm, with a break from 11.30 am to 2 pm, as a cost-saving measure.

On Jan 12, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) also announced that the operating hours of seven UTCs, namely Shah Alam, Keramat, Seremban, Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, would be from 1 pm to 10 pm and no longer from 8 am to 7 pm

Rozman said statistics showed that the volume of people at the UTC Klinik Kesihatan had superseded that at the Klinik Kesihatan Membedai, with 200 to 300 patients recorded daily and between 70 and 100 patients between 6 pm and 9 pm.

He said the clinic was busy the whole day and crowded with patients making a beeline to seek treatment between 8 am and 5 pm.

Labuan has a number of private clinics but only two operate until 10 pm and may not be affordable to low-income earners.

Dr Ismuni said the outpatient clinic was currently in high demand as it had been strengthened by two doctors, two dentists, assistant medical officers and a pharmacist.

Rozman said the Labuan UTC, which was close to the dry and wet markets, benefited the islanders,  especially those from the low-income bracket, as it was located next to the bus and taxi stations and near the shophouses and supermarkets.

-- BERNAMA