A forensic doctor from a government hospital in Penang has been remanded again in connection with charges of indecent behavior towards a woman.
The 43-year-old suspect was granted a four-day remand until March 10 by Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi at the Magistrates' Court today to facilitate further investigations.
The remand order allows police to conduct investigations under Section 509 of the Penal Code and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
The suspect, who arrived at the court at 8:30 am under police escort, was initially detained on March 6 at the grounds of the Timur Laut District Police Headquarters following a report lodged by a 30-year-old woman on March 4.
The doctor’s alleged indecent actions were reportedly noticed by hospital staff, prompting an internal investigation.
The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) has expressed its full cooperation with the police in investigating the case.
"We take this matter very seriously and will not tolerate any misconduct by medical personnel," said Datuk Dr. Fazilah Shaik Allaudin, Director of JKNPP.
This is the second remand order for the doctor, following his initial detention last month in connection with similar allegations. The case continues to draw attention, with authorities vowing to hold the accused accountable for his actions.
In a further development, Northeast district deputy police chief, Supt. Lee Swee Sake, the doctor was apprehended at the Northeast district police headquarters (IPD) at around 9:15 pm on February 26, after the police received a report from the hospital regarding the incident.
The incident, which allegedly occurred on June 28, 2023, came to light after the 30-year-old female complainant reported the doctor's actions.
She claimed that during her visit to a private clinic to collect her blood test results, the doctor tricked her into removing her clothes under the guise of needing further treatment.
She was then allegedly instructed to "run on the spot," which she later reported as part of the indecent behaviour.
Lee stated, "The complainant lodged the report at 10:16 PM last Tuesday, and our initial investigations show that the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM on June 28, 2023.
“We are also investigating whether the suspect took pictures of the complainant's body using a mobile phone during the health check-up."
Following his arrest, the doctor was remanded for four days, with authorities planning to extend the detention until March 10.
He is being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for committing acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, as well as Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which pertains to indecent behaviour.
Earlier media reports confirmed that the doctor was initially taken into custody on February 26 after the hospital notified police about the alleged incident. He was remanded but later released on police bail on March 2.
The doctor, whose identity has not been released, is reported to be the same individual arrested in February after an earlier case of indecent behaviour towards another patient.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information about the alleged offences. - March 7, 2025