PETALING JAYA: Falsifying a sick leave claim can land an employee in hot water, yet many overlook the consequences.
Despite repercussions, which include termination, people are willing to take the risk of buying medical certificates (MC) to skip a day’s work.
Fake MCs have been a longstanding issue – one that has now found a thriving marketplace on social media, where one can request for a fake certificate anytime and even make advanced bookings.
A single MC, often issued by licensed doctors, can cost between RM25 and RM80. Some services are reportedly run by syndicates.
Social media sweeps – including on Facebook and Telegram – reveal the existence of Facebook groups and even Telegram channels dedicated to this trade.
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In these forums, users can post requests for MCs, often specifying their location and the dates needed to be off from work.
Some go as far as requesting certificates from government clinics, indicating growing brazenness.
Sellers can be reached via phone or messaging apps like Telegram. There are also cash-on-delivery services.
Based on checks, The Star has found the same sellers responding to most of the requests.
In the past, these transactions were largely offline with doctors offering discreet services as employees would have to visit clinics known for providing MCs under the table.
“People used to go to rogue doctors who were willing to issue MCs for a quick buck.
“These doctors typically catered to a specific clientele – usually friends, relatives or regulars,” said a general practitioner with over 30 years of experience.
“I’ve had people approach me asking for MCs even when they weren’t sick.
“But I only issue MCs when patients are genuinely unfit for work,” he added.
However, another doctor – identified only as Dr J – admitted to issuing MCs without needing to diagnose a patient.
He said he had clients visiting his clinic solely for MCs because they did not feel like working.
“They rarely take any medication. Sometimes they’ll pay for the medicine just to make it seem legitimate.
“I charge RM35 for a day’s MC – it’s a form of side income,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Dr J acknowledged the legal and ethical consequences but noted that many general practitioners resort to this practice to supplement their income.
While he declined to specify his earnings, industry insiders estimate the trade can yield thousands of ringgit.
In the public sector, government doctors allegedly provide MCs as a favour to friends or relatives rather than for financial gain.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said the Malaysian Medical Council views MC fraud very seriously.
“Doctors who issue MCs without proper justification may face suspension or even deregistration. This is a serious breach of professional ethics,” he said.
“Given the volume of patient encounters and MCs issued daily across the country, the actual incidence of confirmed MC fraud is very low.
“However, the number of doubtful or questionable MCs – those issued under ambiguous circumstances – is harder to estimate.”
Ultimately, MC abuse highlights not only a medical concern but a challenge in human resource management.
“As long as the benefit of the doubt regarding MCs lies with employees, there will always be room for misuse,” he added.
On July 6, three men – including a heart patient believed to be one of the masterminds – were arrested in Kedah for their involvement in issuing fake MCs.
Kuala Muda district police chief Asst Comm Hanyan Ramlan said the group’s modus operandi involved issuing MCs without the need for medical consultation or treatment.
He said the case came to light during a probe into a breach of integrity involving a low-ranking police personnel who frequently submitted MCs.
In response, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the investigation was ongoing and he was awaiting the report.
