THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has received information that many of our doctors who supported our Code Black and Black Monday campaigns were investigated by police yesterday.
Pending further information, we feel that this is unnecessary and can be seen as a form of harassment against a simple solidarity campaign.
Although MMA is aware that the Royal Malaysia Police is allowed to conduct investigations, we strongly condemn the nature of this exercise that targets doctors who have supported our campaign, which champions the rights of healthcare workers in the country.
The involved doctors have carried out their duties diligently, while displaying their solidarity with healthcare workers. Medical officers, like any other Malaysian, have the right to stand up, even, at the very least, by a show of colour.
The involved doctors are afraid and traumatised by the incident, and have reported the details of the incident to us via our representatives.
MMA has many times reiterated that the Code Black and Black Monday campaigns have nothing to do with other similarly colour-coded campaigns. We have also briefed the Health Ministry regarding our campaign and its demands during our last meeting.
MMA is in the midst of engaging independent legal advice, and will alert the legal authorities with regard to this problem, and provide all support and assistance needed in addressing it.
We are reaching out to the chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Bar for help and will inform members of the outcome accordingly.
We urge all other doctors with a similar experience to immediately inform state representatives of the Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists, whose contacts are available on our official website, or email us at [email protected], or contact 03-4041-1375.
In light of this matter, MMA aims to collaborate with the relevant parties to organise a virtual event to disseminate information regarding their rights and the legal perspectives of the issues faced by government doctors. – The Vibes, July 14, 2021
Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy is president of the Malaysian Medical Association