21/06/2026

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday JUNE 21, 2026

S’gor enables affordable healthcare via Selgate

Almost RM100 million for traders MALACCA: The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry has approved nearly RM100 million in financing for more than 4,300 entrepreneurs in Malacca as of May 31, further strengthening the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in the state. It said the financing reflects its continued commitment to ensuring that more entrepreneurs have access to capital to expand their businesses and stimulate the local economy. Its minister Steven Sim said financing must continue to be channelled to entrepreneurs to enable more businesses to grow and create employment opportunities. “Through financing, we are supporting Malaysian businesses. “When businesses grow, the benefits are felt not only by business owners, but also by employees, suppliers and local communities. “The funds channelled to entrepreneurs will continue to circulate within the national economy. That is why we want to see more financing reach the market and help strengthen Malaysian businesses.” Sim is currently on a three-day working visit to Malacca until today, in conjunction with the Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia Carnival, aimed at engaging with entrepreneurs and local traders as well as reviewing the implementation of various initiatives under the ministry. Among the programmes he attended was the meet-and-greet session with Tekun entrepreneurs at Malim Food Town. During the event, Sim also presented nearly RM1 million in financing to 18 entrepreneurs through Tekun Nasional and SME Corp Malaysia. The recipients represented various sectors, including food and beverages, wholesale, professional services, construction contracting, retail, online businesses, automotive and other services. – Bernama Diesel train use in Johor temporary: Loke JOHOR BAHRU: The use of diesel trains for the Southern Shuttle service is a temporary measure while waiting for new Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains to arrive, ensuring local residents face no further delays, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the ministry has allocated an annual subsidy of RM11 million to RM15 million to enable more individuals to benefit from rail-based public transport. “Therefore, we have two options, either to wait two to three years for 10 new EMU train sets to be completed or to use the existing trains now so that the people of Johor do not have to wait longer. “The new EMU trains will arrive in due time. However, if the public can already use the service now, there is no need to wait.” He added that diesel trains would no longer be needed upon completion of the Gemas-Johor Bahru electrified double tracking project, as they would be replaced by the Electric Train Service on the route. The service linking Kulai, JB Sentral and Pasir Gudang offers a faster, more comfortable travel option, with the Kulai-JB Sentral journey taking about 40 minutes and the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang journey about 40 to 45 minutes. He also said the Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang route, previously reserved for freight services, has now been opened to passengers for the first time. – Bernama

SHAH Selangor government continues to expand access to affordable healthcare through its Selgate Healthcare hospital network, in efforts to help the public cope with rising medical costs and insurance premiums. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selgate Specialist Hospital Rawang, which was launched in May, is now part of the Hospital Services Outsourcing Programme, under which selected patients may be referred to private hospitals for treatment. She said the move would not only provide faster access to treatment for patients, but also ease congestion at public healthcare facilities. “The Selangor government is strengthening cooperation between Selgate and insurance companies, Takaful operators, third-party administrators and the corporate sector to ensure that the treatment pricing structure remains affordable, particularly for the B40 and M40 Hospital network could bridge gap in public access to treatment amid rising costs: Expert ALAM: The PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia recorded a 14.44% increase in horseshoe crab landings over a three-year period, reflecting the continued resilience of its coastal ecosystems in supporting the survival of the ancient and high-value marine species. The Fisheries Department said the total landings of horseshoe crabs increased from 232.80 tonnes in 2023 to 266.42 tonnes in 2025, while their wholesale market value climbed 9.32% to RM2.68 million, compared with RM2.45 million over the same period. Its director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said horseshoe crabs are a treasure trove of the country’s marine biodiversity, with high strategic value to coastal ecosystems, and the fields of bioscience and biomedicine. “The increase in horseshoe crab landings shows that the country’s coastal ecosystems are still capable of supporting the survival of the species. “However, pressure on natural habitats from development, pollution and overexploitation requires more integrated and continuous conservation action,” he said in a statement in conjunction with World Horseshoe Crab Day yesterday. Known as a “living fossil”, the horseshoe crab has existed on Earth for more than 400 million years and holds significant value in biomedicine through its blue blood. It contains amebocyte lysate, an essential component used in the safety testing of vaccines and medicines to detect bacterial contamination. – Bernama

targeted service purchase mechanism, public funds could be used to finance certain procedures for B40 patients at hospitals such as Selgate, thereby helping to ease congestion at government hospitals more effectively.” He added that the long-term sustainability of the affordable private hospital model hinges on diversifying revenue sources to address challenges posed by global medical inflation and currency weakness. He also suggested the use of high-quality generic medicines to help control treatment costs and reduce reliance on imported drugs and equipment. “As a government-linked company, Selgate could leverage its scale to manage its own pharmacy chain and strengthen its corporate primary healthcare package, which is more preventive in nature.” In May, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the official opening of Selgate Specialist Hospital Rawang would help meet demand for specialist services in the northern corridor of Selangor, which is experiencing rapid population growth.

groups,” she told Bernama. She added that Iltizam Selangor Sihat beneficiaries could seek treatment for illnesses and services covered under the programme via the Selgate ecosystem. She also said the integration between Selcare Management Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the state government, and the SELangkah app would enable more efficient registration, eligibility verification and management of health benefits. “The state government’s goal is to ensure that the public not only receive health assistance, but are also able to access the benefits easily when they need treatment.” Meanwhile, Monash University Malaysia Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences head Prof Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen described the affordable private hospital model introduced by Selgate as an intervention that could help narrow the gap in public access to treatment amid rising medical costs and insurance premiums. He said the initiative could also serve as a short-term solution to help reduce congestion at government hospitals, but stronger formal integration between the public and private sectors was needed to ensure more comprehensive benefits. “Through the Health Ministry’s

He said the 224-bed hospital would not only cater to private healthcare needs, but also form part of the state government’s efforts to widen access to healthcare benefits for the public. Fisheries Dept records 14% increase in horseshoe crab landings

Adnan said horseshoe crabs are a treasure trove of the country’s marine biodiversity, with high strategic value. – PIC COURTESY OF FAHZAN MAHANI FACEBOOK PAGE