'Sex predator' doctor suspended for two months

A senior doctor accused of sexual misconduct against house officers in a Klang Valley hospital has been slapped with a two-month suspension.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the decision was made by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in its meeting held on Sept 14.

"The Health Ministry has been notified by the PSC that the commission has decided to impose the interdiction order under Regulation 43, against the HOD (head of department), for two months beginning Sept 17 (yesterday, Monday)," Dzulkefly told a press conference at the Sungai Buloh Hospital today.

On July 29, a front-page report in The Star headlined 'A sex predator is in the house' reported on allegations that the head of an orthopaedics department had sexually harassed medical officers under his supervision.

Several house officers were quoted as saying that the senior doctor misused his authority and power on young female doctors.

One victim spoke of how the HOD once attempted to unbutton her shirt and kiss her after summoning her on the pretext of discussing work-related matters.

She added that the senior doctor often demanded she goes out drinking with him and touched her inappropriately when she began to get tipsy. He also threatened to fail her in tests if she did not comply.

Possible termination, cancellation of medical licence

Commenting further, Dzulkefly said the doctor's suspension was to facilitate further investigations by the relevant authorities.

"The Health Ministry will initiate an internal investigation next week, before a report is prepared on the matter to be handed to the PSC, for possible termination of the doctor's service.

"The ministry has also liaised with MACC to look into allegations of abuse of power concerning the said doctor," he said.

According to Dzulkefly, it is up to the PSC to decide whether or not to terminate the doctor's services, and the latter has all the rights to defend himself if he wants to, in the case.

He also added that his ministry will propose to the Malaysian Medical Council to revoke the said doctor's medical licence.

The minister also revealed that throughout the senior doctor's tenure in the hospital, which began in 2009, some 38 of his subordinates are believed to have fallen victim to his sexual harassment, but none of them have been transferred out, as claimed by some reports. - Mkini