KUALA LUMPUR - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has rubbished accusations that PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu pocketed over RM3,300 in excess medical claims made to Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP).
Pro-Umno blogs have alleged that Mohamad, who sits on the PBAPP board, put in a claim worth RM8,434.05 for his knee operation at KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital in July despite being charged only RM5,060.54.
But Lim said today that the KPJ Selangor receipt being circulated online was only for hospitalisation and did not include a second half that showed Mohamad was also billed RM3,373.50 for specialist consultation and surgery.
“There are actually two receipts but they only showed one receipt. There’s one receipt (for) RM5,000, there’s one receipt (for) RM3,000,” the DAP secretary-general said today.
“Even if someone wants to cheat, it won’t be just RM3,000... Don’t talk about Mat Sabu, even regular folk won’t cheat for RM3,000.”
PBAPP general manager Jaseni Maidinsa confirmed he had personally verified Mohamad’s claims with the hospital, adding that it was not unusual for company directors to enjoy such health benefits.
“The health of the director is very important because he must attend board meetings. So we see it that way,” he said, adding that Mohamad’s board meeting attendance was 100 per cent.
Lim added that full co-operation will be extended the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which is currently looking into the alleged claims fraud, but also urged the anti-graft body to investigate those who “slandered” Mohamad online.
“There’s no reason you got the first (half of the) receipt, you don’t have the second (half of the) receipt. No way, isn’t it? You’ve got both receipts,” he said.
Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, was admitted to KPJ Selangor on July 15 for knee surgery following his run-in with the police during the July 9 Bersih rally.
He was discharged three days later.
The Islamic Consumer Association of Malaysia (PPIM) have urged Mohamad to explain the alleged fraud, which it said was claimed amounted to abuse of power.
