KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has received backlash online following his eleventh-hour plea to medical practitioners not to participate in the #HartalDoktorKontrak walkout yesterday.
The health director-general in a Facebook post said doctors participating in the strike would put patients’ lives and their own jobs on the line.
He reminded them of the oath they took at the start of their career.
The post, which has more than 40,000 “shares”, saw comments by frustrated netizens, some of whom called out Dr Noor Hisham over his hypocritical statement.
Malar Santhi said: “How to remind politicians who took an oath to take good care of the rakyat?”
“I stand with the doctors and support the demonstration. By the way, did the PM fulfil his oath, too? I doubt it. You should ask the government to do something instead,” said Addy Kho.
On Twitter, @mikolajkasungu said: “Everyone took their oath when becoming a doctor. But what about Parliament members and politicians? Do they remember the oath that they made to the king, country and people when they were sworn in? Or have they forgotten?”
Many said Dr Noor Hisham’s “plea” sounded more like a warning to contract doctors supporting the protest.
Facebook user Vince Khor said: “Tan Sri, your statement sounded more like a ‘warning’ to contract doctors than an advice. Nothing had been done up till a few days ago, when it was announced that the contracts will be extended for two years.”
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had on Friday said doctors will be offered a contract period of two years after completing their compulsory service.
The Vibes yesterday reported on contract doctors walking out of hospitals across the country, wearing black and holding up placards in support of the #HartalDoktorKontrak movement.
Those who joined the protest at Kuala Lumpur Hospital will be under police investigation for violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
Dang Wangi police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said: “During the movement control order period, no one is allowed to gather.”
“No one is allowed to gather or take part in any assembly at any place for any reason – whether religious, social, sports, wedding or cultural reasons – without permission from the health DG.
“This is stipulated in Rule 10 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations 2021.”
Sg Buloh Hospital and Kuala Lumpur Hospital doctors who participated in the demonstration, which kicked off at 11am, faced police intimidation.
Outside Sg Buloh Hospital, media personnel were questioned by a man who identified himself as a Special Branch officer and asked what was stated on the placards carried by the participating medical professionals.
The hospital saw two groups of doctors staging a walkout. – The Vibes, July 27, 2021
