KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is investigating the death of a medical practitioner at Seberang Jaya Hospital in Penang as reports indicate that the doctor may have been a victim of bullying.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said an immediate internal investigation was initiated once a complaint was lodged about the incident.
In response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Perikatan-Kuala Langat), he mentioned the potential establishment of an independent committee for an in-depth review before any further steps are considered.
"We've launched internal inquiries without delay upon receiving such complaints, which was the procedure adopted in a similar instance in 2018," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 17).
To a follow-up question from Lee Chuan How (Pakatan-Ipoh Timur), Dr Dzulkefly informed the assembly that the outcomes of the independent committee examining the death of a pathology specialist at Lahad Datu Hospital would be disclosed later.
ALSO READ : Family wants its lawyer on task force probing doctor’s death
The late Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a pathology specialist, was discovered deceased on August 29 in her rental home amidst claims of workplace bullying.
Dr Dzulkefly then said to lawmakers that action would be taken against those implicated if the inquiry reveals bullying, irrespective of whether criminal elements are found linked to Dr Tay's death.
"In 2018, I dismissed a department head at a ministry hospital in Klang Valley for bullying a colleague, despite the individual's senior rank," he added.
The minister underscored the importance of transparency and said that the findings would be shared for educational purposes among parliamentary members.
Dr Dzulkefly highlighted the formation of a special task force led by former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Borhan Dollah on October 10, right after the Ministry's internal investigation into Dr Tay's death was concluded.
This task force aims to conduct a thorough and inclusive probe, understand the circumstances surrounding the death, and ascertain if it involved bullying. A full report is expected within three months of the task force's inception.
"The ministry takes a firm stance against bullying, always handling such matters with transparency and prompt reporting after investigations," he added.
