MMA urges police, MACC to act against anti-vaxxers trying to bribe doctors

KUALA LUMPUR: The police and anti-graft commission are urged to set up hotlines where reports can be made about people attempting to bribe doctors to obtain vaccination certificates without receiving the jabs.

"The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) takes a serious view of this matter and urges the authorities to investigate these claims.

"Those found involved should be charged under the anti-corruption laws.

"We also wish to remind all doctors of their duty and responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards in their practice," said association president Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy in press statement on Monday (Aug 30).

The Star recently reported how the digital vaccination certificate had now become a hot “commodity”, as the fully vaccinated were allowed greater liberties and social perks.

As doors remain shut to the unvaccinated, some unscrupulous parties have made attempts to lie about their vaccination status with fraudulent certificates.

Private clinics and general practitioners (GP) say they have been getting inquiries from anti-vaxxers, with some offering up to RM1,000, to fake their vaccination status.

Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia president Dr Steven Chow said members had reported getting phone calls requesting to falsify vaccine certificates with offers of up to RM1,000 per certificate.

He urged the authorities to investigate and act swiftly.