By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry has defended its decision to transfer a former director at a Sabah hospital pending a full investigation into an alleged sexual harassment case.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the administrative transfer was necessary to ensure the investigation could proceed without interference.
"This was a decision we made consciously, bearing in mind that we had conducted an internal investigation, but there will be a full investigation thereafter.
"Therefore, he has been placed in the Sabah Health Department as a medical officer.
"We are only removing him from his role as hospital director so that he does not interfere with the investigation that will be conducted," he said at a press conference after a joint action committee meeting on Sabah Health Development here today.
Dzulkefly said the transfer did not amount to a demotion in terms of the officer's grade.
Yesterday, it was reported that a former director of a government hospital in Kota Kinabalu may take the government to court over his transfer to the Sabah state health department.
Lawyer Joan Goh, who represented the former director, submitted a formal representation to the ministry to challenge the transfer, requesting an explanation of the reasons and evidence relied upon as the basis for the decision.
The lawyer questioned the state health department's authority to remove her client as hospital director before the conclusion of any disciplinary process.
Last month, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said police are investigating allegations of sexual harassment involving a director at a Sabah hospital after receiving a report in January.
He said the alleged incident took place in October last year.s
The allegations drew public attention after a video featuring Kepayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming and Warisan member Dr Istefan Koh went viral.
In the video, they urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and workplace bullying involving staff at a hospital in Kota Kinabalu, and to give the matter immediate attention.
Chin said allegations of workplace sexual harassment and bullying should not be taken lightly and must be addressed through the appropriate channels and procedures.
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