Several MPs put Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba in a spot today at the Dewan Rakyat after it emerged that doctors were being questioned for taking part in a nationwide strike on Monday.
This was despite earlier assurances by Dr Adham that no disciplinary action would be taken against any doctor or contract health officer who took part in the ‘Hartal Doktor Kontrak’ demonstration on July 26.
The strike saw contract doctors staging a ‘walkout’, albeit for a short while, at multiple hospitals nationwide as they sought to be made permanent staff with the Health Ministry.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor police said no investigation papers had been opened against those who took part in the walkout.
However, Kulim Bandar Bharu MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was informed by a lawyer that the latter was called to the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) late last night as doctors were being questioned “till 4am”.
MAEPS is a quarantine and treatment centre for Covid-19 patients.
Saifuddin said the questioning was a form of intimidation. He added the lawyer was prevented from entering MAEPS.
“Doctors are physically and mentally exhausted. Stop treating them like criminals.
“A decision should be made immediately. A guarantee was given yesterday by the health minister,” he said.
Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed was quoted by Berita Harian as saying that police had recorded statements from doctors based at MAEPS after a representative from the quarantine and treatment centre lodged a police report regarding an intrusion on Monday.
Six media practitioners from various agencies had allegedly entered the centre without permission.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim was also quoted by Berita Harian as saying that no doctors were being investigated with regard to the strike.
Several other representatives, including Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, also asked why doctors were being investigated despite the assurance from Dr Adham yesterday that no action would be taken.
Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham said the doctors did not commit any crime, and added that if there had been a breach of rules, it should be regarded as an internal matter.
Here are Twentytwo13’s news highlights today.
MALAYSIA RECORDS OVER 17,000 NEW COVID-19 CASES TODAY
Malaysia recorded 17,405 new Covid-19 infections today – the second time the number of daily cases breached the 17,000 mark after Sunday, when 17,045 cases were recorded.
The cumulative total of Covid-19 infections in the country now stands at 1,061,476.
Selangor continued to record the highest number of infections at 7,171 cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur (2,880 cases).
EXPECT SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES IN COMING DAYS, SAYS DEPUTY HEALTH DG
Deputy Health director-general Dr Chong Chee Kheong, said the number of Covid-19 cases was expected to spike, as more people were using self-testing kits.
“As we encourage more self-testing and RTK-Ag (antigen) use, we can expect the number of cases to rise in the next few days,” Dr Chong said.
“Do not be alarmed by this. We need to identify as many cases as possible to reduce transmission in the community.”
He said as more of those who tested positive and their contacts were isolated and quarantined, the number of cases would gradually decrease in the weeks to come.
“Once that happens, the testing will be re-strategised to ensure effective detection of cases for isolation and monitoring,” he said in a statement today.
RAPID TOLD TO SUBMIT FULL REPORT REGARDING LRT ‘OPEN DOOR’ INCIDENT
Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, the Light Rail Transit Kelana Jaya line operator, had been instructed to submit a full report within 21 days after a door on an LRT carriage remained open while the train was moving on Monday.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, in a statement, said early findings on the incident pointed to a door close confirmation unit (DCCU) that “failed to operate normally”.
“The Land Public Transport Agency has directed Rapid Rail to perform a detailed investigation into the incident, and submit the train’s maintenance reports prior to the incident.
“Rapid Rail was also instructed to undertake short-, and long-term measures to ensure such an incident does not recur.”
He said further action on the operator would be decided upon based on the examination of the complete report.
SELANGOR SULTAN DISAPPOINTED WITH CIVIL SERVANTS INVOLVED IN CORRUPTION
Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed his disappointment that several Selangor government officers were involved in corrupt practices that could tarnish the good image and reputation of civil servants in the state.
The Selangor Sultan’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, in a statement, said the Sultan stressed that any public officer in the state who was found guilty of corrupt practices or breach of trust, must face disciplinary action and punishment which commensurate with the crime committed.
“Any government officer and politician who had received state awards, medals and honours but are found guilty of corrupt practices, will be stripped of their awards, medals and honours,” he said.
WATER SKIER AALIYAH YOONG TO SKIP WORLD JUNIOR MEET AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Water skier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah’s hopes of winning the World Junior Championship were crushed after she tested positive for Covid-19.
Aaliyah, who turned 18 on July 16, was due to compete in the World Junior meet, scheduled from Aug 22-29, in Florida, the United States.
However, Aaliyah and her father-cum-coach, Hanifah Yoong, tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. They are now under home quarantine.
Aaliyah was initially scheduled to depart two days ago and would have arrived in Florida to have three weeks of training before the competition got underway.
