KUALA LUMPUR — A special officer to Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim has lodged a police report over the spread of allegedly defamatory and racially inflammatory content on social media involving Hospital Bukit Mertajam.
Lim Zheng Han said the report was made following a Facebook post on March 22 that allegedly distorted facts surrounding Sim’s visit to the hospital. Sim is also the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
He said the visit was aimed at reviewing basic facilities and assessing upgrade needs, but the post carried an unfounded headline claiming that “Hospital Bukit Mertajam will be relocated so as not to disturb a temple — Steven Sim Chee Keong”.
“Such slander not only tarnishes Sim’s image but may also incite tension and undermine harmony in Malaysia’s multiracial society,” Lim said in a statement today, reported Bernama.
Lim added that the report was lodged at the Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters, and called on authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the account owner.
Yesterday, the Hospital Bukit Mertajam visitors’ board denied claims that the hospital would be relocated to avoid disturbing a nearby temple, describing the allegation as defamatory and made with malicious intent.
Earlier, the Facebook post went viral, alleging the hospital would be moved, using Sim’s name and images from his visit to the facility.— March 24, 2026