Bukit mertajam: Claims that the Bukit Mertajam Hospital (HBM) will be relocated to avoid disturbing a temple in the area are untrue, defamatory, and made with malicious intent, according to the hospital's Board of Visitors. According to BERNAMA News Agency, the board stated that a visit by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, serving in his capacity as Bukit Mertajam MP, to the hospital on September 14, 2025, focused solely on efforts to upgrade hospital facilities for the well-being of the community and did not address any temple-related issues. The board highlighted that the false statement circulating on social media contains elements of racial and religious incitement, which could disrupt social harmony and create public confusion. They clarified that there are no plans to relocate the hospital building; instead, there is a proposal to construct a new building while retaining the existing structure. The statement further elaborated that the proposed additional block for HBM ha s been a priority for the hospital and the Board of Visitors since 2023 to cater to the increasing number of patients, including those from surrounding districts such as Kulim, Kedah. The Penang state government has supported this proposal by providing eight acres (3.237 hectares) of land, and the project is currently awaiting approval from the Health Ministry (MOH). Earlier, a Facebook post went viral, falsely alleging that Steven Sim stated the hospital would be relocated to avoid disturbing a temple, along with images of his visit to the hospital. Consequently, the board has urged authorities to investigate the owner of the Facebook account and take appropriate legal action. The board emphasized that HBM is a healthcare institution dedicated to serving all individuals regardless of race and religion, and that all improvement efforts are intended for the community's well-being, not for the interests of any particular party.