KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition MPs today cranked up pressure on the government to drop all forms of action against contract medical workers who participated in the #HartalDoktorKontrak strike yesterday.
Raising the issue in Parliament, they slammed the disciplinary measures initiated by hospitals, as well as police investigations into purportedly illegal gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leading the opposition’s call was former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PH), who said Putrajaya must stop treating contract health workers as “consumables” to be discarded after use.
It is within their rights to protest against the way they are being treated, he said when debating the Health Ministry’s management of the pandemic.
“I implore the prime minister and government not to punish or take disciplinary action against those involved in the hartal (protest).
“They are exercising their democratic rights. Make sure no authorities take action. Stop treating them like personal protective equipment, consumables. You use them, and then, you throw them away.”
Yesterday, hundreds of junior contract doctors and medical officers across the country took part in the protest, staging walkouts from their respective hospitals to demand better treatment from Putrajaya.
Immediately following the gatherings, police warned that investigations have been initiated over the violation of restrictions on mass gatherings during the virus lockdown.
If found guilty, the protesters may be compounded under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) Regulations 2021.
Dr Dzulkefly said the demonstration highlights the dire situation facing medical workers.
“It is as though they are pleading for their welfare to be taken care of,” he said, adding that it is incumbent that their demands for fair treatment, permanent employment and better opportunities to continue postgraduate programmes be heard.
Several other MPs, including Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-PH), Akmal Nasir (Johor Baru-PH) and Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (Kapar-PH), also called for action not to be taken against health personnel who took part in the demonstration.
Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH), meanwhile, expressed disappointment that staff of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang who participated in the strike are being issued show-cause letters.
“Besides being harassed by police, they are being issued show-cause letters. The reason (for their participation in the protest) is clear: they have been neglected.”
Earlier, HTAR director Dr Zulkarnain Mohd Rawi told Kosmo Online that those involved in the strike will be asked to explain themselves, adding that they should not have been influenced into taking part in the walkout after the government agreed to extend their contracts. – The Vibes, July 27, 2021
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