PKR rep accuses Umno of omission to justify 'ethnic cleansing' claim at hospital

Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said today that Umno omitted information about resignations at a hospital owned by a state GLC to justify its claims of "ethnic cleansing."

Kota Melaka Umno had taken to Facebook to allege that the Malacca Putra Specialist Hospital, under its CEO Chong May Lee – also the state DAP Wanita chief – was carrying out "ethnic cleansing" at the hospital and appointing her cronies. 

Chong denied the allegation.

In the posting, Kota Melaka Umno claimed 10 people had resigned due to "pressure," comprising nine Malays and one Indian.

However, Shamsul, who is also the hospital's chairperson, said in a statement that 13 people had resigned, comprising nine Malays, two Chinese and two Indians.

Denying any discrimination, Shamsul also pointed out that the majority of the hospital's workforce was Malay, comprising 53 Malays, 16 Chinese, eight Indians and three from other races.

"The hospital also stresses that no politically-linked individuals nor family members or friends of the CEO have been appointed to the management," he said.

"Even though the hospital's CEO is a DAP member, she has acted professionally and evaluated the performance of every staff member without discrimination.

"She is a former accountant who served for more than 20 years at a number of global companies, and returned to Malaysia in 2010 through a Human Resources Ministry programme (now managed by Talent Corp)."

Shamsul also said that police reports have been lodged over Umno's "ethnic cleansing" allegation.

"Legal action will also be taken against all those involved in making defamatory statements to safeguard the hospital's good name."

The new hospital leadership, Shamsul said, has sought to address weaknesses outlined in the Auditor-General's Report 2017, including strengthening standard operating procedures and debt management.

He added that the hospital also made an RM300,000 profit for the first five months of this year, compared to losses of RM3.6 million in 2018, RM10 million in 2017 and RM2.9 million in 2016.