KUALA LUMPUR – An agency under the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has refuted speculation on social media on the credentials of its medical adviser Dr Faizal Anwar, saying he serves in an unremunerated capacity.
The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) said Faizal – a cosmetic doctor reportedly suspended by a medical body in Australia – does not take on any leading or executive functions in any Covid-19 task force for MARii or Miti.
“Dr Faizal Anwar serves MARii solely as an unremunerated adviser for medical and health data management, specifically in areas related to data-driven health management systems,” said the agency when contacted by The Vibes.
“His role is on a ‘need’ basis, and pertains only to conducting literature reviews, and research paper and research data analysis, besides working closely with our technical teams that require a specific understanding of the said field.
“He is one of many advisers associated with MARii who contribute their technical knowledge and experience to the fields related to MARii.”
Some online circles have been rife with questions on Faizal’s appointment after he appeared as a guest alongside MARii CEO Datuk Madani Sahari on a local television programme on Thursday.
Netizens raised concerns about his appointment at MARii in light of news of his suspension in Australia.
Some questioned his legitimacy to advise MARii, an agency under the purview of Miti.
“Executive decisions by MARii are always the responsibility of its CEO, Datuk Madani Sahari, who also serves as the main spokesman for MARii to the media or any external parties,” it said.
Facebook user Arnaz M. Khairul had noted that the former doctor was previously suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency on August 19, 2016.
“No wonder Miti’s management of the pandemic has raised so many questions,” he said in a post.
“The cosmetic surgeon suspended from practice in Australia is now a Covid-19 specialist adviser under Miti.
“This guy has also been struck off by the Malaysian Medical Council for malpractice.”
Twitter user @Nicholas_Gomez asked for clarification from both MARii and Miti.
Struck off cosmetic doc as COVID adviser!? @MARiiMalaysia @MITIMalaysia can you clarify please?
— Nick ? (@Nicholas_Gomez) June 25, 2021
From left: Dr. Faizal Anwar, MARii Advisor in Medical and Health Data Management, Dato' Madani Sahari, CEO, Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii)#COVID #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zOw9aS9A2L
Putrajaya Hospital consultant physician and nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah tweeted: “If you want to appoint a medical adviser, please check the qualifications and background.
“Don’t hire those who are not experts, what more, those who have been charged with medical malpractice.”
Permohonan saya sebagai seorang Doktor marhaen kepada industri2 dinegara ini:
— Dr. Rafidah Abdullah (@rafidah72) June 25, 2021
Kalau nak lantik medical adviser: mohon periksa kelayakan & latar belakang. Jangan ambil yg tiada kepakaran; lagi lah yg telah dihukum kesalahan medical malpractice.
Checks by The Vibes found reports that Faizal was fined A$100,000 (RM311,000) on February 1, 2018 for continuing to treat patients even after being suspended from practice.
In August 2017, Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper said he was sued by at least 12 women who alleged that he performed procedures, such as facelifts, nose jobs and breast enlargements, that left them permanently scarred.
The Malaysian Insight reported allegations by patients that Faizal was a skilled salesman who talked them into having cosmetic surgeries that they did not need, or into letting him “fix” his botched procedures, which only made things worse.
MARii’s profile states that it serves to spur the development of strategic and operational intelligent systems through the humanisation and utilisation of smart platforms, applications and digital technologies, such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence.
The agency recently developed the ImmuSAFE COVID+ biochip test with Sengenics Sdn Bhd and the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), to be used to verify the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines deployed in Malaysia.
It was reported that the test has a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, and has been validated by IMR. – The Vibes, June 27, 2021
