KUALA LUMPUR: Women seeking cosmetic surgery are urged to consult local certified medical centres and professionals to avoid unwanted side effects from unscrupulous procedures by unverified individuals.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said a recent victim who underwent liposuction at an unverified centre by a Chinese national now requires laser corrective surgery.
The victim, Ng from Singapore, was attracted to a liposuction promotion by a popular local influencer, he said.
Chong added that the influencer and her team had long promoted cosmetic procedures on social media and sold surgical packages, claiming to have secured a legally operating theatre and medical team.
“The victim paid RM6,000 as a deposit to secure a slot, and the total amount paid for the procedure was RM39,000. The victim was brought to a medical centre, and the procedure was done on November 12 last year by someone believed to be a Chinese national, who has now disappeared.
“On the day of the surgery, the victim felt unsure about proceeding with the liposuction because she could not verify the credentials of the person doing the procedure, but was told her deposit would be forfeited, so she continued under pressure.
“The victim repeatedly asked for the admission and discharge documents pertaining to the procedure but only received a confirmation letter signed by another doctor two weeks after the surgery,” he told reporters at Wisma MCA here on Friday (Feb 6).
Chong added that the victim made all payments to the influencer’s personal account and another clinic, rather than the medical centre where the procedure was done.
Although the Chinese national performed the follow-up consultations, after getting a second opinion, the victim was informed that excessive liposuction had been performed, requiring her to undergo laser corrective surgery, he said.
Chong said they will ask the Health Ministry to investigate the medical centre and the case.
He reminded people that, regardless of their needs, they should only seek local, certified, registered medical professionals and never go through social media influencers.
“Since 2024, we have received a total of eight similar cases, with people paying more than a total of RM80,000 for such procedures,” he said.
Meanwhile, the victim’s lawyer, Yap Wai Shaun, said the influencer involved was constantly promoting liposuction and cosmetic surgery.
“The influencer did promote to the victim, stating they have a big group of professionals and a big operation theatre, to convince her to undergo the liposuction.
“Even the letter they issued is signed by a local doctor, not the Chinese national who did the procedure,” he said.
