KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has stressed that it will not tolerate any abuse of power by public servants under its watch, vowing to take stern action against those who compromise public health services.
It was responding to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) confirmation of three senior doctors from Penang government hospitals being arrested yesterday for allegedly submitting fraudulent claims to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Acknowledging the arrests, the ministry assured that it will cooperate to facilitate the agency’s probes.
“The ministry would like to emphasise that it will not tolerate any element of abuse of power by ministry (representatives) and it will not hesitate to take the appropriate action to ensure public health services are always at their best level,” the ministry said in a statement today.
Before MACC’s confirmation of the arrests, reports emerged on the graft busters apprehending two doctors from Seberang Jaya Hospital and one from Bukit Mertajam Hospital in the morning.
Sources suggested that the arrests are linked to a wider investigation into a cartel accused of falsifying Socso claims. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
Yesterday’s arrests came nearly two months after Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshawaran raised concerns in the Dewan Negara, urging the Human Resources Ministry to address the alleged suspension of doctors involved in processing Socso disability claims, reportedly connected to the same cartel.
Lingeshawaran mentioned that the medical officers were suspended following Socso’s discovery of irregularities at a Penang hospital. – August 4, 2024