Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said out of the 326 clinics, 287 were wooden structures and were no longer safe to be in.

“An additional 39 clinics where conditions are not as bad (as the wooden ones) but are still not up to par will also be upgraded,” he added.

Khairy was speaking to journalists after the launch of the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) in Sabah.

Meanwhile, when asked about rumours that he would contest in Kuala Pilah or Tampin in the next general election (GE15), he quickly answered, “Kota Kinabalu”, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Khairy, who is Rembau MP, was previously reported to have said that he would not be contesting in the same constituency in GE15.

He said that he had been told to “get out of the way” by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

He added that in the “worst case scenario” he might end up not contesting any seat in GE15.

Khairy has held the Rembau parliamentary seat since 2008.