N Sembilan Ruler Urges Probe Over Alleged Misconduct At Hospital

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Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has urged the authorities to investigate allegations of misconduct related to procurement management at Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital (HCTM) involving three major tenders worth RM58.45 million.
He noted that these complaints were investigated and confirmed by the National Audit Department, where several companies that did not receive approval from the selection committee were appointed to undertake these projects.
“If no appropriate action is taken, this will have negative implications not only financially, but also in terms of service quality, patient comfort and care and the training of medical students at HCTM.
“It also threatens HCTM’s quality and weakens UKM’s credibility,” Bernama reported him as saying in his address at UKM’s 53rd Convocation Ceremony today.
ADSTo address this, Tuanku Muhriz said it is essential for UKM to undergo reforms in governance and administration.
Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz HospitalThe UKM chancellor also urged all relevant authorities to be more vigilant and take swift action against those involved in misconduct.
In February this year, the ruler stripped former UKM vice-chancellor Ekhwan Toriman of his Darjah Setia Bakti Negeri Sembilan award conferred upon the latter.
“This decision aims to uphold the dignity and honour of the Royal Institution in Negeri Sembilan,” said Registrar of Orders Zafir Ibrahim.
The decision came amid allegations of abuse of power and misappropriation at UKM.
MOHE should back UKM reforms
Tuanku Muhriz further urged the Higher Education Ministry to support reform efforts at UKM consistently.
He said this includes expediting the appointment of senior management, particularly members of the university’s board of directors and the deputy vice-chancellors.
“The appointment of university senior management must involve qualified and responsible candidates.
“Leaders involved in misconduct are not fit to administer a university, especially UKM, which upholds the philosophy of knowledge, quality, and morality,” he stressed.
The ruler added that UKM plays an important role as a catalyst for change through quality education, high-impact research and sustainable community service, including expanding its international network via academic collaborations with The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Aberystwyth University.
“I am also proud that UKM now has two teaching hospitals, the Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital as well as Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Hospital, the children’s specialist hospital I recently officiated.”
ADSTuanku Muhriz stated that to sustain the excellence achieved, UKM must continue to be led by individuals of high integrity and trustworthiness.
At the same ceremony, Tuanku Muhriz consented to the establishment of the Tuanku Muhriz Royal Chair in Integrity and Good Governance, to be held by former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Tengku Maimun also serves as a professor of practice at UKM’s Law Faculty.
The chair is aimed at advancing research and policy work related to good governance, integrity issues, public administration, and institutional reform. - Mkini

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