Baby-selling claims under investigation
AL JAZEERA DOCUMENTARY: Action will be taken against doctors, healthcare facilities involved, says Health Ministry
THE Health Ministry has initiated an investigation into the doctors and healthcare facilities in an Al Jazeera documentary on “baby for sale” rackets in Malaysia.
“Based on the results of the investigation, action will be taken accordingly against the doctors and healthcare facilities,” said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
He said this may include disciplinary action by the Malaysian Medical Council, which could lead to the deregistration of the doctors from the Medical Register under the Medical Act 1971, and revoking the certificates and licences of the centres.
He urged the public to curb the activity by being more alert and to come forward with information.
“The participation of the community with the ministry in safeguarding patients’ safety and the quality of our healthcare system is highly appreciated in putting a stop to this dissolute activity,” he said yesterday.
Dr Subramaniam said his ministry took the issues highlighted in the documentary very seriously.
Al Jazeera, in its report last week, had claimed Malaysia was a hub for baby-selling syndicates.
In the documentary titled Malaysia: Babies for Sale, which was based on a four-month undercover operation by its journalist, the news channel claimed that a network of traffickers, doctors and government officials, especially from the National Registration Department (NRD), was profiting from the sale of babies.
In Santubong, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, through its Children Council, will chair a meeting soon in the wake of the allegations with ministries and agencies.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, said the meeting would enable the government to determine the authenticity of the claims and embark on a move to protect women and children from falling prey to the syndicate.
The ministry, said Rohani, had extended invitations for the meeting, expected to be held next week, to ministries and agencies, including the Home Ministry, the Health Ministry, police and NRD.
The authorities were named in the documentary.
“The meeting will help the ministry identify the type of assistance that we can offer, since we are responsible for providing protection to babies and looking into issues affecting family institutions,” she said.
Rohani, who is also Batang Lupar member of parliament, reiterated the ministry’s stand that the actions of those involved in the syndicates were illegal and that they should be punished.
“I agree that the news reports were a wake-up call but I am disappointed that we are being labelled based on these findings.
“Did the new reports make any comparison between the findings in Malaysia and other countries before coming to such a conclusion?”
In Putrajaya, the NRD said it would take stern action against any officer found to be involved in baby-selling syndicates.
Its director-general, Mohd Yazid Ramli, said the department viewed the matter seriously and would carry out investigations to validate the report.
“Stern action will be taken against NRD officers responsible for the issuance of falsified documents,” he said.
Yazid said NRD would also take the action to prevent irregular birth registrations by ensuring it was done according to procedure and to blacklist falsified birth certificates.
“We will also carry out internal investigations and identify the clinics involved before making a police report for legal action.”
Yazid said those who forged birth certificates could be charged under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1957 (Act 299), which provided a maximum fine of RM2,000 or 12 months’ jail, or both.
He said the department would continue cooperating with the media, the public and anyone who had information on the involvement of its officers in the syndicates.
Stern action will be taken against NRD officers responsible for the issuance of falsified documents. Mohd Yazid Ramli director-general, National Registration Department