17-10-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the tragic demise of a medical practitioner at Seberang Jaya Hospital in Penang, following reports suggesting the doctor may have fallen victim to workplace bullying.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad disclosed that an internal inquiry was promptly initiated upon receipt of a formal complaint regarding the incident. Speaking during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Dr Dzulkefly said, “We’ve commenced internal investigations without delay, adhering to the protocol established in a similar case from 2018.”
The minister, responding to queries from MPs, revealed the possibility of forming an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive review before determining further courses of action. This approach mirrors the ongoing investigation into the death of Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a pathology specialist at Lahad Datu Hospital, whose body was discovered in her rented accommodation on 29 August amidst allegations of workplace harassment.
Dr Dzulkefly assured lawmakers that should the inquiry uncover evidence of bullying, appropriate measures would be taken against those implicated, regardless of whether criminal elements are found to be associated with Dr Tay’s death. He cited a precedent from 2018, stating, “I dismissed a department head at a ministry hospital in the Klang Valley for bullying a colleague, despite the individual’s senior position.”
Emphasising the ministry’s commitment to transparency, the minister pledged to share the findings with parliamentary members for educational purposes. He also announced the formation of a special task force, led by former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Borhan Dollah, which was established on 10 October following the conclusion of the ministry’s internal investigation into Dr Tay’s death.
This task force has been given a three-month timeframe to conduct a comprehensive and inclusive investigation, aiming to understand the circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether bullying played a role. Dr Dzulkefly stressed, “The ministry maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, consistently addressing such matters with transparency and prompt reporting post-investigation.”
