KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has scrapped a public service announcement video on graft involving medical certificates following a backlash from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
In a statement, the government agency signalled that it did not intend to offend those in the medical profession when creating awareness on the abuse of medical chits.
Instead, MACC said, the video is aimed at educating the public on the matter, as well as promoting awareness on the act of offering, giving, and accepting bribes.
“In the context of the video, it refers to the issue of giving out fake sick medical leave certificates, and this example is based on a true situation that has been investigated by MACC, through complaints received from employers and the public to this commission.
“The commission does not intend to undermine or question the professionalism of medical specialists or practitioners in the issue.”
MACC said based on the principles of accountability and integrity, it has decided to withdraw the video in order to protect sensitivities and to ensure harmony among all parties involved.
Yesterday, MMA president Dr Koh Kah Chai chided MACC for the video posted on the latter’s official Twitter page depicting how a medical chit can be bought from what appears to be a doctor’s office or health clinic.
In condemning the video, Koh said using doctors and medical chits as examples of potential corruption was an insult to the sanctity and image of the medical profession, and he demanded an apology from the graft-busters.
“The government agency should have used other examples to convey its message. As doctors, we feel deeply offended by the post, which should be taken down immediately,” he wrote.
Koh then reminded MACC to instead make sure their own officers and agency are free from accusations of abuse and corruption before looking to educate the public.
“MMA demands that MACC issue a public apology for the video, which we feel is done in poor taste, and while they are at it, clean up their own backyard.
“From the long thread of comments by netizens in response to the video, it appears that MACC has issues about its own reputation to address.”
The video was posted on social media on Tuesday morning, amid recent controversy dogging the commission of alleged corrupt practices and conflict of interests in dealings undertaken by chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. – The Vibes, January 6, 2022
