Dato Roslan Saidin has no choice but to publicly withdraw and apologise to all doctors

UMNO Pinang Tunggal ADUN Dato Roslan Saidin should publicly withdraw and apologise to all doctors for his sensational lies that there were 3 Chinese doctors in 2 government hospitals in Penang that were racist for refusing to treat Malay patients caused by the DAP’s election campaign during the recent general elections. This follows Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam statement yesterday that there were no elements of racism in the Chinese doctors refusing to treat Malay patients.

Roslan had told the state assembly on July 3 that the incidents involved six patients, two doctors from the Kepala Batas Hospital and one from the Seberang Jaya Hospital. Roslan linked his claim of racist doctors to the DAP’s successful campaign in causing the drop in support for the BN from the Chinese community in the 13th general election. However Roslan did not provide any evidence nor made an official complaint to the Health Ministry.

It was only after pressure from the Penang state government and my open letter to Subramaniam demanding action, did Roslan produce some patients complaining of poor medical treatment and lodged a complaint with the Health Ministry. I had urged Subramaniam to punish the doctors if the allegation of racism is true by sacking them and disqualifying them as doctors for violating the Hippocratic oath of treating all humanity regardless of race, gender and religion.

Instead Subramaniam now says there was no racism and amongst the many factors were poor communication skills in the doctors concerned. Clearly it is Roslan that must withdraw and apologise. Now that the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam had publicly repudiated Roslan’s allegations, Roslan must repent for his lies that has tarnished the good image of doctors and also affected the harmony in our multi-racial community.

Roslan should realise that he committed a grievous error by making this lie in the Penang State Assembly and should show his respect for the Assembly by telling the truth not lies.

However, the Penang state government is heartened by the support given by Malay doctors who were angry at this dishonest attack against the medical profession and Malay patients who disbelieved Roslan because their health and lives were saved by Chinese and Indian doctors.