Malaysian cosmetic surgeon charged with practising on suspended licence in Australia

PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian cosmetic surgeon has been charged with practising on a suspended licence, reported an Australian newspaper.

Dr Faizal Anwar allegedly continued to treat patients after he was de-registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency last August due to fears over patient safety.

The Australian Herald Sun reported that at least a dozen women are now suing Dr Faizal and the clinic over botched facelifts, nose jobs and breast enlargements, claiming that the surgery has left them permanently scarred or deformed.

It was reported that Dr Faizal moved to Melbourne as a cosmetic surgeon in 2015.

According to Herald Sun, Dr Faizal's wife Intan told the publication that her husband was speaking to medical authorities, adding that her husband suffered a stroke in February.

Dr Faizal also reportedly told a former patient that he was too broke to help her when she seek his help after an alleged botched facelift in September last year.

He allegedly sent his overdrawn bank account and stated how he was only able to gain part-time work at restaurants and 7-Eleven stores.

He wrote: "I am sorry for all the inconvenience that it has caused you, but as of now I honestly cannot do much."

He added that he could not stop anyone taking legal action, but the result would "drive my family and me on to the pavement".

The Australian medical authorities are believed to be working with their Malaysian counterparts to clarify Dr Faizal's status.

Dr Faizal is due to appear at the Werribee Magistrate's Court in September.