[UPDATED] Threats to #HartalDoktorKontrak participants need to stop: Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR – The government must explain the decision by the police to investigation a dozen contract medical officers who participated in Monday’s #HartalDoktorKontrak walkout despite initial assurance that no disciplinary action will be taken.

Tiada tindakan tatatertib terhadap doktor-doktor kontrak yang menyertai demontrasi semalam - Menteri Kesihatan @DrAdhamBaba di @MYParlimen

— KKMalaysia?? (@KKMPutrajaya) July 27, 2021

In condemning the action, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim Bandar Baharu-PH) said those in Putrajaya must step in “to stop the intimidation” and ensure the morale of frontliners are not further damaged.

“Please stop treating them like criminals. The healthcare system is already collapsing; don’t break them further.”

He also questioned the need to act on those who took part in the hartal walkout as no commotion was created throughout the peaceful protest, while patient welfare was also not ignored.

“They were probed inside the MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang) Covid-19 Quarantine and Low-risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) and their lawyer was not even allowed in. This must stop,” he said in addressing the Dewan Rakyat today.

“The health minister and home minister must give their guarantee to not further hurt the spirit and morale of the doctors. They are already mentally and physically exhausted.”

Saifuddin Nasution said the situation now requires immediate political intervention by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to issue an no further action order to the police to abide by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba’s assurance.

Police visited the MAEPS PKRC late last night to question 12 doctors for almost four hours, following a report lodged by the centre’s director Dr Shahabuddin Ibrahim after several media personnel turned up to provide coverage on the strike.

This is despite Dr Adham giving his assurance just yesterday that no disciplinary action will be taken against any of the healthcare workers who participated in the hartal walkout.

Meanwhile, Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-PH) said the questioning by the authorities must be condemned as doctors are already facing severe stress from handling the pandemic.

“This can give those who are probed mental pressure, and is against a number of legislations, including the lockup rules, which was designed to avoid such a situation.”

Earlier this morning, Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH) had similarly raised the issue in the lower House and questioned if the assurance by Dr Adham yesterday only concerns action by the Health Ministry.

“I would like an explanation if his statement yesterday applies to the whole government or only the Health Ministry. Why is there still action against the doctors?” – The Vibes, July 28, 2021