Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam is under fire for reportedly saying that the Penang government was not cooperating with his ministry to facilitate the probe against doctors who may have mistreated their patients.
State executive councillor in charge of health Dr Afif Bahardin (left) said perhaps Subramaniam was afraid to handle the issue because the probe involved an Umno assemblyperson.
"Is it because Subramaniam is afraid that an Umno leader is involved? Is it because he wants to preserve his political position that he had to say that he is not getting any cooperation from the state on this?" Afif asked at a press conference in Komtar today.
"Subramaniam knows very well that public hospital doctors are recruited by the Health Ministry, which is under the federal government.
"If a minister does not even know this simple matter, it is very difficult for him to handle the issue.
"If this matter was within our jurisdiction, we would have conducted a probe immediately." Afif said.
He was referring to statements reportedly made by Subramaniam in Malay language dailies Utusan Malaysia and Harian Metro today.
Utusan Malaysia quoted Subramaniam as saying he failed to get the cooperation of the Penang government, including information on the issue of racist doctors, as raised in the just-concluded state assembly sitting by Pinang Tunggal assemblyperson Roslan Saidin.
In Harian Metro, Subramaniam is reported as saying his ministry was conducting its own investigation as it was difficult to obtain information from Penang, even though Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had urged immediate probe and action against the doctors.
Subramaniam was referring to the Dewan Negeri proceedings on July 3, when Roslan (right) accusedthree Chinese Malaysian doctors - two from the Kepala Batas Hospital and one from Seberang Jaya Hospital - of refusing to treat their Malay patients.
Roslan described the alleged "racist attitudes" of the doctors as a result of the 'Chinese tsunami' of the 13th general election, where the community is said to have withdrawn its support for the BN.
Roslan also brought four victims of the alleged racist doctors who shared their experiences with reporters in Bertam on Tuesday.
State executive councillor in charge of health Dr Afif Bahardin (left) said perhaps Subramaniam was afraid to handle the issue because the probe involved an Umno assemblyperson."Is it because Subramaniam is afraid that an Umno leader is involved? Is it because he wants to preserve his political position that he had to say that he is not getting any cooperation from the state on this?" Afif asked at a press conference in Komtar today.
"Subramaniam knows very well that public hospital doctors are recruited by the Health Ministry, which is under the federal government.
"If a minister does not even know this simple matter, it is very difficult for him to handle the issue.
"If this matter was within our jurisdiction, we would have conducted a probe immediately." Afif said.
He was referring to statements reportedly made by Subramaniam in Malay language dailies Utusan Malaysia and Harian Metro today.
Utusan Malaysia quoted Subramaniam as saying he failed to get the cooperation of the Penang government, including information on the issue of racist doctors, as raised in the just-concluded state assembly sitting by Pinang Tunggal assemblyperson Roslan Saidin.
In Harian Metro, Subramaniam is reported as saying his ministry was conducting its own investigation as it was difficult to obtain information from Penang, even though Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had urged immediate probe and action against the doctors.
Subramaniam was referring to the Dewan Negeri proceedings on July 3, when Roslan (right) accusedthree Chinese Malaysian doctors - two from the Kepala Batas Hospital and one from Seberang Jaya Hospital - of refusing to treat their Malay patients.Roslan described the alleged "racist attitudes" of the doctors as a result of the 'Chinese tsunami' of the 13th general election, where the community is said to have withdrawn its support for the BN.
Roslan also brought four victims of the alleged racist doctors who shared their experiences with reporters in Bertam on Tuesday.
'No approach for information'
Chief Minister Lim, who was at the same press conference with Afif, said he was disappointed with Subramaniam.
"His alleged statement is slanderous as no one from his ministry had approach the state government for information or help in the investigation," said Lim.
On this issue, state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang (left) said he has checked with his staff, but no one received any telephone call or a letter from the ministry.
"It appears that the Ministry of Health is not doing something very healthy in this aspect, although it is supposed to be focused on health matters.
"Subramaniam's allegations. as reported, are serious and irresponsible," Law said.
"There are proper procedures in handling this matter but it looks like the health minister does not know them. I am not confident he can handle this matter properly," he added.
"His alleged statement is slanderous as no one from his ministry had approach the state government for information or help in the investigation," said Lim.
On this issue, state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang (left) said he has checked with his staff, but no one received any telephone call or a letter from the ministry."It appears that the Ministry of Health is not doing something very healthy in this aspect, although it is supposed to be focused on health matters.
"Subramaniam's allegations. as reported, are serious and irresponsible," Law said.
"There are proper procedures in handling this matter but it looks like the health minister does not know them. I am not confident he can handle this matter properly," he added.
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