The very notion or slightest idea that an institution of the stature, fundamental importance, influence, far-reaching effect and affect, and great public and community service, such as the IJN would be taken over by a commercial and business concern such as Sime Darby, or just any other private concerns, in another privatisation effort is totally unacceptable and unthinkable, to say the least.

Over time, there are just too many privatisation of government outfits which had seemingly taken the burden off the government shoulders ( due to a lack or shortage of capable management capabilities ), but which had burdened the rakyat in untold ways, in return.

Not that “privatisations” are bad and evil in themselves, but the way and nature they had been dished out and managed which made the public paying heavily for services which should and could be available at more acceptable levels, raised a lot of questions.

The rich and influential are forever not affected, for obvious reasons, not matter what the situation may be.

The underprivileged, the unfortunate, the down and trodden, the poor, these are the very people the government should always endeavour to focus their attention on. Isn’t the government the protector, the guardian and the defender of the poor and underprivileged?

Looking beyond the magnificent façades of corporations and conglomerates, it is always the rank and file who contribute immensely to the workings, running and existence of the organisations themselves. Without them, whole organisation would collapse and doomed to failure. For that reason alone, the rank and file are the ones who should always be given more protection and benefits. It is also a known fact that these very people are always the least paid in the organisations.

In order to do justice, these people should have access to medical and other services at discounted and special rates. The fact that they contribute immensely to the organisations, and ultimately the nation, should be a factor that matters in all negotiations and decisions. As such, organisations should be made to contribute to funds which are ultimately used for meeting the needs, welfare and well-being of workers who made the organisations survive and running.

Institutions such as the IJN must be built and refined to levels of excellence which should cater to the needs of each and every deserving member of our society, regardless of ethnicity, religious or cultural backgrounds. It should be run on funds generated through means which are sustainable and dependable, with major input from government’s coffers itself (which are public funds, in reality).

Profitability and profiteering should not be the concern of such an institution, which should focus, instead, on the well-being and health of the citizenry. A healthy nation is indeed made up of a healthy people.

For the above reason alone, the privatisation of IJN should be disallowed and discouraged. On the contrary, they should be expanded and further developed to reach and cater to a wider spectrum of the rakyat. And it should be made into an excellent and reference centre for all related health needs. This is also in view of the fact that heart diseases are becoming a major cause of death and disability among the rakyat.

IJN should also position itself as a centre of education and training which would have a far-reaching effect on the awareness and importance of healthy living and habits.