JOHOR BARU: In the wake of the urine-tampering controversy in the state, 10 pathologists have been transferred out in a sweeping shakeup, according to Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
He said that in addition to the reshuffling of pathologists, the state has also reinforced all standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the handling of urine samples.
This includes implementing digitalisation measures to prevent any future tampering.
“We have taken this matter seriously, as Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) is the only hospital in the southern region involved in testing urine samples for the police and the National Anti-Drug Agency.
“They don’t just do it for Johor but also for neighbouring Melaka.
“They test about 20,000 to 30,000 urine samples each year. This is a huge number,” he said, adding that state health authorities have fully cooperated with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) since the case surfaced last year.
Ling said the pathology department is sizable, and not all staff members were involved in the case.
“Now that they have a new multistorey building in the hospital compound, we are able to implement new SOPs that are digital instead of just relying on the old manual system.
“All this is to improve integrity,” he told The Star when asked to comment on the MACC’s ongoing investigation after the arrest of a pathologist and 33 narcotics policemen in Johor in the urine-tampering controversy.
When asked whether any of the pathologists had been sacked, Ling said they would have to wait for the MACC to complete its investigation.
“I hope that the MACC investigation into this case can be completed soon, as those responsible will need to face the consequences.
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“If none is involved, then effort needs to be made to clear their names, as now people think that everyone in the pathology department has done something wrong,” he said, adding that the controversy came as a shock when it first surfaced.
Even Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has been briefed about the case.
Ling said the hospital’s pathology department tests about 1,000 samples of urine and blood each day. The typical waiting period for a pathology report is between 10 and 14 days.
The Star had previously reported that a pathologist was at the centre of an extensive network involved in providing tampered urine samples in substance abuse cases for a fee between RM500 and RM1,500.
Caught in the web were 33 narcotics policemen of various ranks – an assistant superintendent, eight inspectors, 22 sergeants, a corporal and a lance corporal – from almost all of Johor’s 13 police districts.
It is learnt that investigations revealed that the network has been operational since 2018.
According to sources, in accordance with the current SOP, a government pathologist is responsible for generating a substance abuse report based on a person’s urine sample sent to the hospital by the police.
It is also learnt that this report will be used by a narcotics investigating officer to wrap up the probe before the Attorney General’s Chambers decides whether to charge a person under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
A conviction carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or a maximum jail term of two years.
Following the arrest of the policemen, Johor police have tightened their SOP, which now involves officers from its Integrity and Standard Compliance Department tagging along during narcotics raids at entertainment outlets.
Meanwhile, Johor MACC director Datuk Azmi Alias, when contacted, said the MACC was still investigating the case under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
According to sources from the Johor MACC, they are still looking for witnesses to assist in the investigation.
One source said the 33 policemen were arrested in stages from June to September last year, and all of them have been released under MACC bail.
“The police’s Integrity and Standard Compliance Department has given its full cooperation during our course of investigation,” the source said.
