KUCHING – Three politicians here have slammed the Health Ministry’s “gag order”, saying it should look into the issues raised instead of trying to silence whistle-blowers.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii of DAP told The Vibes that the ministry “glorifies” frontliners when it is convenient for them, but threatens them when it isn’t.
He said the ministry is instilling fear of speaking up in frontliners when it should be investigating irregularities in the Covid-19 immunisation plan.
“The Health Ministry should investigate the concerns highlighted by its staff who brought up red flags in the vaccine roll-out plan,” said Dr Yii.
Aspirasi president Lina Soo said the ministry is killing the messenger, instead of providing solutions to the misdeeds pointed out.
“It seems that feedback from its staff is being treated with animosity just because the ministry’s reputation takes a hit when such issues are raised.
“If the allegations are true, the ministry must deal with the perpetrators severely. If the allegations are false, haul the staffer up for disciplinary action.”
She said it is unbecoming and unprofessional of the ministry to issue threats against its staff without prior investigation.
“At a time of crisis, our leaders should stay calm, and conduct a professional and unbiased investigation, instead of threatening and lording over healthcare workers like a bully.”
Meanwhile, Michael Kong, special assistant to Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen, said it is upsetting that whistle-blowers are being chastised instead of protected.
“We should be encouraging such revelations of malfeasance. The ministry has asked the public to use correct communication and complaint channels while maintaining the image and credibility of the civil service.
“However, we know more often than not that complaints via the ‘correct channels’ will fall on deaf ears and be swept under the carpet. This is the typical attitude that hinders the progress of the nation.”
Kong said such complaints from ministerial staff must be given attention and acted upon immediately, if the country wants to practise good governance and transparency, and improve the quality of service in government departments and ministries.
Citing Singapore, he said: “We do not hear complaints on the vaccine roll-out in the island-nation, because it is done professionally and in accordance with proper procedures. If our ministry is indeed doing things properly, there is nothing to hide at all.
“We must all be thankful to frontliners, instead of putting additional pressure on them.”
Yesterday, the Health Ministry warned its staff against issuing statements on the implementation of public policies, programmes, and government decisions without approval.
The ministry referred to a statement circulating on social media, supposedly written by a staffer, that criticised the vaccine distribution plan.
The ministry said the regulations are not intended to prevent any officer from speaking out, but rather, to ensure they use the correct communication and complaint channels while maintaining the image and credibility of the civil service.
Although the ministry did not specify which social media post it is referring to, Putrajaya Hospital nephrologist Dr Rafidah Abdullah, in a recent Facebook post, slammed the government after certain VIPs – including ministers, as well as assemblymen and their officers – were allegedly included in Phase 1 of the vaccination drive.
Dr Rafidah alleged that these individuals were given priority at the expense of front-line workers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, private dentists, and pharmacists, among others.
However, she did not mention the names of the VIPs who would purportedly get vaccinated first, instead saying many frontliners were too afraid to speak out. – The Vibes, March 5, 2021
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