KUALA LUMPUR: An academy at the centre of controversial aesthetic medicine courses should come forward to clarify issues surrounding its training programmes, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said this should be done following public complaints, despite a recent statement issued by the academy.
“Important questions were not answered. There should be clarification from the company.
“They should come forward and explain,” Chong said during a press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday.
Chong said he sympathised with the complainants, many of whom had spent large sums of money hoping to pursue careers in aesthetic medicine.
“They wanted to fulfil their dream of becoming aesthetic medicine practitioners, but now many are worried the qualifications may not even be recognised,” he said.
Chong said his department had received seven police reports from complainants, and he called on others who may have been affected to come forward.
He added that the department would continue pursuing the matter to prevent more victims from suffering losses.
The issue surrounding the academy surfaced yesterday after several individuals claimed they had spent between RM100,000 and RM180,000 to enrol in aesthetic medicine courses offered by the academy.
Several individuals claimed they were promised professional qualifications and certifications linked to aesthetic medicine, while others said classes had yet to begin despite payments having been made.
The issue later drew wider attention after Universiti Malaya (UM) clarified that it had no involvement in the academy’s courses or certificates being circulated online.
Following reports in the media and the statement issued by UM, the academy on May 14 issued a statement defending its programmes, saying participants who completed all training modules and fully paid their fees would receive certificates issued under its own rules and regulations.
The academy acknowledged that its courses did not come under the purview of the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) or the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), and reserved its right to take action for any loss of reputation.
Meanwhile, the department’s legal counsel, Esther Hor, said questions were raised over the authorisation of the courses, why needles were used in medical procedures allegedly conducted in hotels, and the use of certificates purportedly linked to a public university.
Hor said the academy, in its statement, claimed its courses were conducted according to its own internal rules and regulations, and that its programmes did not fall under the purview of MOHE or MMC.
“If it is not under MOHE or MMC, then under which authority?
“Who is the accreditation body for these courses?” she questioned.
Pertubuhan Doktor Estetik Berdaftar Malaysia president Dr Ungku Muhammad Shahrin, who was present at the press conference, noted that procedures involving injections, Botox and thread treatments could only be performed by qualified and registered medical practitioners.
“The moment you start injecting and applying procedures on patients, this is where all the rules and regulations come in,” he said.
He added that medical procedures should only be conducted at licensed medical premises equipped to handle emergencies, not hotels or temporary training venues.
