Naim-KPJ JV company to invest RM70mil in private hospital in Miri

KUCHING: A Naim Holdings Bhd-KPJ Healthcare Bhd joint-venture (JV) firm will invest in a private hospital project in oil town Miri.

The proposed 100-bed full-fledge hospital will be built on 1.62ha in Bandar Baru Permyjaya, Naim’s flagship integrated mixed development project.

Naim engineering and construction head Sivakumar Ramasamy said the four-storey hospital was estimated to cost RM70mil.

“The proposed hospital building plan is anticipated to be submitted for approval to the relevant authorities by July, with construction works to start the following month.

“The hospital is expected to be completed and commissioned in September 2014,” he told StarBizWeek yesterday.

The project will be undertaken by a 30:70 JV company between Naim’s wholly-owned subisidary, Naim Land Sdn Bhd (NLSB), and KPJ’s wholly-owned unit, Kumpulan Perubatan (Johor) Sdn Bhd (KPJSB).

The JV company, which will own the hospital, will have an initial authorised share capital of RM25mil. NLSB will sell the 1.62ha to the JV firm for RM5.9mil.

It has been agreed that Naim’s construction arm – Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd – will be the contractor for the hospital project.

The hospital building will be leased to KPJSB, which will provide a master planner and project manager to advise on the medical centre’s design and technical requirements.

When completed, the private hospital would be the third in Miri, Sarawak’s second city. The existing private hospitals are Columbia Medical Centre and Miri City Medical Centre.

It will be KPJ’s second hospital in Sarawak, the first was set up in Tabuan Jaya commercial centre here several years ago. KPJ is one of Malaysia’s leading private healthcare provider, operating a chain of 20 health centres nationwide.

Kuching now has three private hospitals and the fourth is under construction. There are two private hospitals in Sibu.

By The Star