Malaysia

Google search places Sabah hospital in Philippines, sparking outrage

State residents correctly note Kota Marudu healthcare facility remains within Malaysian territory

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 08 Aug 2022 1:16PM

Google search places Sabah hospital in Philippines, sparking outrage
Many Sabahans are riled up by the incorrectly stated location of Kota Marudu Hospital, which is actually in northwest Sabah. – Hospital Kota Marudu pic, August 8, 2022

by Jason Santos

KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans were alarmed by the Google search result of the Kota Marudu Hospital that now includes the word “Philippines”.

This comes as a surprise to many Sabahans riled up by the incorrectly stated location of the district’s main healthcare facility, which is actually in northwest Sabah.

“This looks like an early invitation to war against us,” said gig economy worker Maurice Julius.

Last night, Julius and several of his friends attempted to raise the matter to Google by submitting their suggestions to the tech giant, but as of today, the incorrect location remains unchanged.

A screenshot of a Google search result of Kota Marudu Hospital which curiously contains the word ‘Philippines’. – Screen grab pic, August 8, 2022
A screenshot of a Google search result of Kota Marudu Hospital which curiously contains the word ‘Philippines’. – Screen grab pic, August 8, 2022

Another netizen Denny Michael questioned whether a hacker or a coordinated group had gone to Google and filed for the hospital’s name change.

“Who is behind this? Why didn’t Google check the facts? Kota Marudu is a district in Sabah. And we are part of Malaysia.

“If this is the work of a hacker, it will become an issue to the people here in Sabah. I am very angry over this,” he added.

Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin told The Vibes that “action is being taken to address the problem.”

Many also have linked the incorrect information to the Sulu claimants’ case in the French arbitration court.

Last month, Malaysians were surprised by the news that a Luxembourg court ordered the seizure of two Petronas subsidiary firms. – The Vibes, August 8, 2022

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