KUALA LUMPUR – Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad has called for further investigations into the death of a specialist pathologist in a Sabah hospital, who is alleged to have committed suicide due to workplace bullying.
Dzulkefly stressed that all Health Ministry staffers deserve a “safe and just” working environment.
“I have had zero tolerance towards bullying since 2018 and shall remain steadfast on this policy,” he said in a post on X, referring to his first term as health minister during Pakatan Harapan’s previous stint in federal government.
“Lest you’ve forgotten what action I took in my first term, please Google (it). I understand this toxic work culture still persists, so (to) perpetrators, just stop it!”
Dzulkefly said this in response to news reports on the August 29 death of Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a Lahad Datu district hospital specialist, who died a mere six months after she reported for duty as the hospital’s chemical pathology unit head.
The Lahad Datu Hospital had also announced Tay’s passing in a Facebook post on the same date, but did not state the cause of death.
On September 14, Tay’s brother, who goes by the username YS Tay on Facebook, published a post on the platform claiming that his sister had died by suicide after being pressured and oppressed by her seniors.
He added that his sister, who has been married for a year, was due to return to the Peninsular after a two-year stint in Lahad Datu.
Yesterday, Lahad Datu district police chief reportedly Dzulbaharin Ismail said that police have ruled out foul play in Tay’s death, adding that police are aware of the suicide allegations.
However, he said that police have not determined why the incident happened, noting that the matter of bullying claims would be handled by the health authorities.
Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna is expected to issue a statement on the matter soon. – September 16, 2024