Group calls for guidelines on issuance of directive

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism called for clear guidelines on the issuance of Advance Medical Directive (AMD).

Its president Jagir Singh said the next-of-kin of patients must also be clearly defined for better management of their cases.

“The decision of next-of-kin must also have legal protections to avoid any complications later,” said Jagir.

He said the AMD would be useful for patients who had pledged to donate their organs.

Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (Madpet) coordinator Charles Hector, however, warned that certain parties could abuse the issuance of AMD.

He said patients could be persuaded to sign AMDs by doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and family members for their own benefits or interests.

Hector said many religions held strong beliefs on the right to life.

“Only God has the right over whether a person live or dies. Cutting off the life support on a patient is a man-made decision,” he said.

He said there were important considerations to be looked into over the acceptance of AMD.

“For example, if a patient falls into coma, it is a matter of uncertainty.

“There are always chances of recovery. Nothing is certain,” he added.