Apologise for racist doctors claim, Roslan told

Pinang Tunggal assemblyperson Roslan Saidin has been told to apologise for misleading the state legislative assembly with his allegations of "racist Chinese Malaysian doctors" who refused to treat their Malay patients.

The call was made by Penang executive councillor for health Dr Afif Bahardin (left), despite Roslan and his colleagues bringing forthfour victims in Bertam yesterday to share their experiences with doctors who called one of them names, took their complaints lightly and sent them home without providing proper treatment.

Besides Roslan, the others present at the press conference by the four were state opposition leader Jahara Hamid and assemblypersons Shah Hedan Ayoob Hussain Shah (Teluk Bahang) and Mohd Zin Ahmad (Penaga).

Afif said Roslan in raising the issue in the Dewan Negeri on July 3 had accused two doctors in Kepala Batas and one in Seberang Jaya of being racist, instead of chiding them for their level of service or attitude towards their patients.

Afif said his office was still waiting for the findings of the investigation carried out by Health Ministry and the Health Department in Penang. 

‘No evidence of racism presented'

"However, there is no evidence of racism among the doctors for refusing to treat their Malay patients, based on the accounts of the victims who came forward yesterday," Afif said in a statement today.

"Nor have the revelations any ties with what was alleged by Roslan (right) in the assembly, that the incidents were due to the Chinese tsunami - where the community withdrew its support for BN in the 13th general election," he added.

Afif said yesterday's revelations by the four victims appeared more like problems of professionalism and doctor-patient communication.

He added that none of the victims said that the doctors they saw refused to treat them because they were Malays.

"Roslan's earlier allegations that the doctors acted in a racist manner because of the Chinese tsunami in the May 5 election are twisted," said Afif, who is also Seberang Jaya assemblyperson.

"The evidence and statements by the victims do not seem to support Roslan's allegations of racism," he added.

Incidents more related to service and ethics

"Even Jahara (Umno's Teluk Ayer Tawar assemblyperson) said the incidents were more related to the issue of delivery of service, ethics and professionalism of civil servants, of the doctors and paramedics in public hospitals," Afif pointed out.

He said Roslan had gone overboard in his accusations and had tarnished the reputation of doctors, who are often burdened with a heavy workload while they work long hours in a stressful environment.

Roslan should know how to differentiate ill-mannered doctors, those who are not competent and those who are allegedly racist.

"So, Roslan's allegations in the Dewan were inaccurate, malicious and extreme towards the medical profession and civil service," said Afif.

"I urge Roslan to apologise to all doctors, especially those working in Seberang Jaya and Kepala Batas."