MMA: Police questioning of doctors at ungodly hours unacceptable, unreasonable
THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today called the timing picked by the authorities to question several doctors based at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) treatment centre over an alleged intrusion of journalists at the centre on Monday, July 26 unacceptable and unreasonable.
The six journalists had allegedly entered the MAEPS quarantine centre without permission on Monday to cover the strike by junior doctors.
Prof Datuk Dr M Subramaniam Muniandy
It was previously reported that the doctors concerned were asked by the police to give their statements between 11.45pm and 3.50am.
Selangor police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed has defended the choice of timing, explaining that the questioning was carried out at such odd hours for the doctors’ own convenience.
Contrary to Arjunaidi’s claims, however, the doctors who were questioned had since alleged that they were not given any choice in that matter.
“First and foremost, if there was indeed an intrusion, shouldn’t the department in charge of security at the centre be questioned instead of the doctors? Or are the doctors also in charge of security at the centre?” asked MMA president Prof Datuk Dr M Subramaniam Muniandy in a statement.
Subramaniam said that if indeed the doctors’ statements were needed, he believes that the doctors would be willing to cooperate and give their statements but at a time more convenient for them.
“These doctors are frontliners at a COVID-19 quarantine centre. The authorities should be more understanding of the work of these doctors who are treating COVID-19 patients.
The centre is overflowing with patients at this time and this can be stressful for all healthcare workers there,” said Subramaniam. – July 30, 2021.
It was previously reported that the doctors concerned were asked by the police to give their statements between 11.45pm and 3.50am.
Selangor police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed has defended the choice of timing, explaining that the questioning was carried out at such odd hours for the doctors’ own convenience.
Contrary to Arjunaidi’s claims, however, the doctors who were questioned had since alleged that they were not given any choice in that matter.
“First and foremost, if there was indeed an intrusion, shouldn’t the department in charge of security at the centre be questioned instead of the doctors? Or are the doctors also in charge of security at the centre?” asked MMA president Prof Datuk Dr M Subramaniam Muniandy in a statement.
Subramaniam said that if indeed the doctors’ statements were needed, he believes that the doctors would be willing to cooperate and give their statements but at a time more convenient for them.
“These doctors are frontliners at a COVID-19 quarantine centre. The authorities should be more understanding of the work of these doctors who are treating COVID-19 patients.
The centre is overflowing with patients at this time and this can be stressful for all healthcare workers there,” said Subramaniam. – July 30, 2021.
This is typical police conduct in obeyance to the ruling government.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the garang "without fear or favour". It really makes me laugh evertime the police or MACC utter those words - I doubt if they really understand what the phrase means.