Hospital director transferred over sexual harassment probe, says Dzulkefly

 By Olivia Miwil

August 15, 2026 @ 3:28pm

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the former director had been transferred to the Sabah Health Department as a medical officer, pending further action. NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIl

KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry has taken administrative action against a hospital director in Sabah following an internal investigation into an alleged sexual harassment case.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the former director had been transferred to the Sabah Health Department as a medical officer, pending further action.

"Administratively, the ministry has completed the internal investigation. Among the actions taken was the transfer of the director to a medical officer's position in the medical division of the Sabah Health Department.

"The victim has also been given full support and psychiatric treatment, and has returned to a better working environment," he said during a press conference after the ministry's Training Institutes convocation at Universiti Malaysia Sabah here.

Last month, the issue was raised by Kapayan assemblyman Chin Teck Ming and Sabah Warisan Health Bureau chief Dr Istefan Koh over the alleged wrongdoings.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun also acknowledged that a police report was lodged earlier this year.

"The official report from the department has been submitted to Public Service Department, based on the officer's grade, as it has its own jurisdiction and authority to handle this matter," Dzulkefly said.

On mental health, especially involving students in schools, Dzulkefly said no single ministry could address various health and public health challenges alone.

He said the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEM) had been engaging with the Education Ministry on mental health challenges among school students.

"The Education Ministry recognises the commitment of NCEM in addressing these issues responsively and immediately, including identifying early trends and signs, especially among adolescents and minors.

"This is a vulnerable or high-risk group that we need to pay attention to," he said.

Dzulkefly said discussions focused on immediate preparedness and mobilising a fast response to mental health issues among vulnerable groups.