With construction of the state-funded Sarawak International Medical Centre (SIMC) reportedly well behind schedule and exceeding the budget, opposition party DAP wants a commission of inquiry set up to elicit pertinent answers.

Bandar Kuching parliamentarian Chong Chieng Jen told reporters that the state government should be made to answer why the renowned US-based Mayo Clinic and a specialist engaged to oversee procurement of medical equipment had pulled out halfway through the project.

The government had announced in the late1990s that the SIMC would be a world-class medical hub to attract patients requiring specialist treatment from around the region.

Construction started in 1998 with an approved budget of RM350 million, with the project due for completion in three years over a 40ha site in Samarahan, just outside Kuching.

But by March this year, only 70-80 percent had been completed, according to its turnkey contractor Sesco Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Chong told malaysiakini that the Mayo Clinic, which had conducted the initial studies and teamed up with the government to set up the centre, withdrew from the partnership without explaining its reasons publicly.

He wondered whether this was because there was no compliance with the standards that the clinic had set.

He also said the specialist had been engaged to ensure that the cost of medical equipment being procured would be of reasonable value.

"I met the specialist, who is from Peninsular Malaysia, in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur," Chong said.

He said he had learnt that the specialist was not prepared to certify the procurement of certain specialist equipment, which had been obtained at highly-inflated prices.

Chong said about RM100 million had been spent on the project under the 8th Malaysia Plan and another RM64 million under the 9th Plan.

On Sunday, local English-language daily The Borneo Post ran the story on the delay in the project. It quoted experts as saying that the eventual cost could double, taking into account the rising price of building materials, medical equipment and labour.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan was quoted as saying the project was nearing completion "with only a few things to tidy up".

Chan is also chairperson of the Sarawak Specialist Hospital and Medical Centre Sdn Bhd, which will manage the SIMC.