KUALA LUMPUR – Police did not show up for a second night of questioning doctors at the low-risk Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang this evening, said a lawyer representing the medical officers.
Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said several doctors at the centre had earlier been informed that they will be interviewed by police today, but the authorities did not turn up before they ended their shift at 8pm.
“They (doctors) will be going back (home),” he said when contacted by The Vibes.
Police were slated to interview some more doctors over the alleged trespassing of media personnel at the centre during the #HartalDoktorKontrak walkout on Monday, with 17 already questioned last night.
The no-show comes as police face criticisms for probing doctors and medical staff about the incident between 11.45pm on Monday and 3.50am the following day.
However, Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed defended the late night questioning, saying it was done for the convenience of the doctors.
Arjunaidi also said police have identified six media personnel who are allegedly involved in the incident. It is understood that they will be called in for questioning tomorrow.
Asheeq Ali in a statement this evening refuted Arjunaidi, saying his reasoning is “indefensible”.
“I was told that the contract doctors were not even given a choice to choose the timing to give their statement.
“Any statement for an investigation must be taken during an appropriate time to avoid it from being given under pressure.”
He said the questioning is unlawful and burdened the doctors, who are on duty at a major quarantine centre. – The Vibes, July 28, 2021