Supremme Systems Sdn Bhd, which conceptualised e-kesihatan and sold the idea to the government, is seeking compensation as the government has reversed the privatisation agreement and directed the Road Transport Department (RTD) to implement the scheme.
It is learnt that Supremme Systems had threatened to seek legal redress to claim more than RM100 million for loss of profits and compensation for work done. These demands were made to the Transport Ministry, whose minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat confirmed on Sunday that the government will scrap the privatisation deal.
Legally, said one source, Supremme Systems did not renege on the contract it signed with the ministry when it was headed by Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. When details of the agreement became public, a majority of the doctors who were supposed to carry out the tests felt that the deal was lopsided and too costly. This prompted a re-think and the scheme was called off.
They also claimed that Koperasi Doktor Malaysia Berhad, a co-operative society for medical practitioners mooted the idea so that its members could contribute and benefit from the scheme. It claimed it had submitted proposals to the ministry before Supremme Systems came on the scene.
The directors of Supremme Systems include former RTD directors Datuk Nordin Yahaya and Kamaluddin Yusoff.
Under the scheme, drivers, attendants and conductors of commercial vehicles must undergo health checks and testing for seven substances with doctors on the e-kesihatan panel.
The proposed fee was RM85 per person – of which the company keeps RM35 – was criticised as government hospitals and clinics charge about RM10 or less.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) had also opposed the agreement which empowered Supremme Systems to conduct surprise checks on clinics on its panel. Doctors who wanted to be part of the scheme must possess professional indemnity insurance.
The scheme was to have been implemented on Oct 1 last year but was shelved following theSun’s expose a month earlier.
Yesterday, MMA president Datuk Dr.Khoo Kah Lin, while welcoming Ong’s statement, said it was surprised that the decision and the methodology to be used had not been discussed with MMA.
"We hope that while implementing the new scheme,there are sufficient safeguards to ensure orderly and ethical work practices.
"As road traffic accidents are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this country, a great deal of attention is mandatory to make sure that any new scheme introduced will contribute to the reduction of this scourge and improve safety on our roads," he said.
Khoo said the MMA’s technical committee had prepared a detailed format of the clinical and laboratory tests relevant for screening and certification of drivers to drive commercial vehicles.
"We strongly feel that the MMA can work with the RTD and relevant authorities to implement this scheme which it has championed for years.
"We earnestly hope that an early decision can be made and after due consultation."
Earlier this year, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan thwarted attempts to revive the scheme when he called up Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari to inquire about a meeting that the latter was supposed to have chaired on March 12. It is believed that the meeting just days after the general election on March 8 and in the absence of a cabinet, was to fast-track the implementation of e-kesihatan.
The meeting was called off after Mohd Sidek’s inquiries and the scheme reverted to the Finance Ministry and the Economic Planning Unit.
The five-year contract between Supremme Systems and RTD allows the company to conduct spot-checks on clinics and a penalty of 10 times Supremme Systems’ fee if a bogus doctor is registered on its panel.
The Blogs 
Wasting the rakyats' money!
This is legalised corruption!
The BN govt has no accountability except to their own pockets!