GEORGE TOWN: A 43-year-old doctor arrested for allegedly outraging the modesty of a female patient at a public hospital may have done it more than a dozen times before.
A medical fraternity source says there could be up to 15 victims who had been sexually harassed by the same doctor.
The doctor, the source said, had apparently fabricated documents and medical records to ask female patients to come and see him.
“After telling them to undress, he would film them using his phone, on the pretext of checking their heart readings, or conducting other routine check-ups.
“Sometimes, the sessions were done outside regular consultation hours.
“In most cases, the female patients did not suspect anything,” the source claimed.
This is also not the first time the doctor had been investigated for such offences, said the source who claimed the man had been questioned by police in 2019 and 2023.
However, due to insufficient evidence, no action was taken.
“He was finally caught in the act now,” the source said.
On Wednesday, the doctor had allegedly convinced a 21-year-old female patient to undress under the pretence of performing heart checks, without a female nurse present.
He reportedly recorded her using his mobile phone before hospital management staff barged into the room and found video recordings of her on his phone.
The victim then filed a police report.
George Town OCPD ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the medical officer was picked up at about 9.30pm on Wednesday and remanded for four days until Sunday.
He will be investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for insulting modesty, which carries a sentence of up to five years in jail, a fine, or both upon conviction.
ACP Abdul Rozak said the case was also being investigated under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for behaving in an insulting manner with the purpose of stirring anger, which would likely cause a disturbance.
The offence carries a fine of not more than RM100, upon conviction.
Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran, a former director of Hospital Sungai Bakap in Penang, called for a thorough investigation into the case.
“It is crucial to emphasise that doctors must conduct physical examinations in the presence of a chaperone.
“Medical professionals must uphold ethical standards,” he said.
