Dzulkefly Slams Action Against Hartal Doctors

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Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the junior doctors were only “exercising their democractic right in a civil way”.KUALA LUMPUR: No disciplinary action should be taken against junior doctors who took part in yesterday’s strike calling for amendments to the contract system, said Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH – Kuala Selangor).
The former health minister argued that the contract workers were only “exercising their democractic right in a civil way”.
He said the peaceful protest was their last resort in calling for their welfare to be protected.
“For all it’s worth, I implore the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government not to punish or take any disciplinary action against doctors involved in Hartal Doktor Kontrak,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
During Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) time in Putrajaya, Dzulkefly recalled, he had formed a health recovery council to look into issues related to the healthcare service.
However, he said the council’s reform agendas were interrupted due to the Sheraton Move and “treason by Cabinet ministers”.
Yesterday, contract doctors staged a nationwide walkout as part of the Hartal Doktor Kontrak strike, which calls for job security and opportunities to further their medical careers, among others.
Shortly after, several contract doctors were informed that they would be hauled up by police to have their statements recorded soon.
Dang Wangi police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said an investigation would be opened on the strike as no one was allowed to be involved in any gatherings during the movement control order.
This morning, Kasthuri Patto (PH – Batu Kawan) referred to news reports that contract doctors in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang would be issued show-cause letters from the hospital’s director.
Kasthuri added that several junior doctors were also facing “harassment” from police to provide their statements on the protest. - FMT

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