KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has questioned whether an alleged second sexual harassment incident could have been prevented if action against a Sabah hospital director had been taken earlier.
Kepayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming and Parti Warisan Health Bureau head Dr Istefan Koh raised the question after allegations involving a second victim surfaced on social media.
They said an internal investigation involving the same director had reportedly been completed last year, with its outcome said to include a public apology and early retirement.
“If that is indeed the case, the public deserves clear answers,” they said in a joint statement on Friday (July 24).
They questioned whether the director had remained in office after the investigation, why he was allegedly allowed to continue leading the hospital and when his early retirement was due to take effect.
“If the recommendations arising from last year’s internal investigation had been implemented promptly and decisively, could the alleged incident involving the second victim have been prevented?” they asked.
Chin and Koh urged the Sabah Health Department director to explain what action had been taken after the investigation and whether its recommendations were fully implemented.
“This is no longer simply about one individual or one complaint.
“It is about whether the system responded effectively after the first case and whether opportunities to prevent further alleged misconduct were missed,” they said.
They also called on the Health Ministry to independently review both the allegations and the administrative handling of the earlier case.
“If there were failures in implementing disciplinary measures or protecting staff, those responsible must also be held accountable,” they said.
The case gained wider attention after Chin raised the allegations in a video posted on social media and called for a thorough investigation.
Police said on Thursday (July 23) that an investigation paper had been opened after a report was lodged in January over an incident allegedly occurring in October last year.
The Sabah Health Department said the same day that a special committee appointed by the Health Ministry had completed a detailed investigation and submitted its findings.
It said follow-up action was being taken in accordance with existing procedures and laws, and urged all parties to allow the administrative process to be completed fairly.
