COPS SLAMMED FOR "HARASSING" HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO SUPPORT SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN FOR CONTRACT DOCTORS

Prof Dr Subramaniam Muniandy

13 July 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association has slammed the police for "harassing" healthcare workers by investigating them for participating in the Black and Blue Monday Campaign in solidarity with contract doctors.

Its president Prof Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said the association has received the information from its doctors yesterday, adding that while it is still pending further information, he feels a probe is unnecessary.

"Although MMA is aware that the police is allowed to conduct an investigation, we strongly condemn the nature of this exercise targeting doctors who have supported our campaign championing the rights of healthcare workers in the country.

"The involved doctors carried out their duties diligently while displaying their solidarity for healthcare workers. Medical officers like any other Malaysian have the right to stand up, even at the very least by the show of colour," he said in a statement today.

According to Subramaniam, the involved doctors are afraid and traumatised by the incident and have reported the details of the incident to us through our representatives.

He said MMA has many times reiterated that the Code Black and Black Monday campaigns have nothing to do with other similarly colour-coded campaigns.

"We have also briefed the Ministry of Health (MoH) regarding our campaign and its demands during our last meeting. MMA is in the midst of engaging an independent le at legal advice, and will alert the legal authorities with regards to this problem and to provide all support and assistance needed in addressing it.

"We are in the midst of reaching out to the Chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Bar for help and we will inform members of the outcome accordingly," he asserted.

The association also urged all other doctors with similar experiences to immediately come forward and contact it via its official website mma.org.my or email at schomos@mma.org.my. Those affected can also contact the body at 03-40411375.

"In light of this matter, MMA aims to collaborate with the relevant parties to organise a virtual event to disseminate information regarding their rights and the legal perspectives of the issues faced by government doctors," said Subramaniam.