Head of department involved in sexual harassment suspended for two months
KUALA LUMPUR: A head of department at a public hospital in the Klang Valley, who was alleged to have committed sexual harassment against at least 38 individuals including the female housemen at the hospital, has been suspended from work for two months from Monday.
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the suspension was to enable the ministry to conduct internal investigations before preparing its report for the Public Service Commission (SPA) to decide on whether or not to terminate the service of the head of department.
“The Ministry of Health has received feedback from the SPA (which agreed) on our recommendation to have the head of department suspended from work for two months according to Regulation 43 (of the public officers disciplinary regulations),” he told reporters after meeting with the hospital’s top management here yesterday.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry had so far held 31 meetings on the issue, with 38 individuals having come forward claiming that they were victims of sexual harassment by the senior doctor, who began his service at the public hospital in 2009.
“The ministry has also submitted the (initial) investigation report on the alleged sexual misconduct to the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) for further action,” he said.
The minister said some of the 38 complainants also claimed that the level of sexual harassment they suffered was far worse than what was reported in the media.
Dr Dzulkefly said the Malaysian Medical Council had also been notified about the issue and was mulling the revocation of the head of department’s medical licence.
He also confirmed that there would be no transfer among housemen and staff of the hospital. — Bernama