Govt warned against pressuring doctors treating Najib

Opposition leaders have warned the government against pressuring medical officers treating Najib Abdul Razak to act against their will.

This is amid allegations that the public healthcare system was being abused to give the convicted former premier - who is supposed to serve 12 years in jail - preferential treatment and liberties.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii said doctors treating Najib must be allowed to carry out their duties professionally.

"The Health Ministry should address such allegations, and allow medical professionals to carry out their duties without interference.

"All medical decisions should be made purely on medical considerations, not others," he said.

Yii, who chairs the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, said while prisoners should get healthcare, no one should get preferential treatment.

Najib has been in and out of hospital after being sent to jail late last month.

Two weeks ago, he was sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) over stomach ulcers - which his family claims were stress induced.

He was later discharged but was re-admitted to HKL last week after he fell ill again due to blood pressure issues.

Following this, viral allegations emerged alleging that Najib - codenamed “merpati” (pigeon) - would be sent to the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) so that he can have more access to visitors, among other privileges.

There were also allegations that Najib's cell at the Kajang Prison had been renovated.

The Prison's Department confirmed today that Najib was moved to the CRH on Monday, but assured he would be sent back to Kajang Prison once he is given medical clearance.

Klang MP Charles Santiago, questioned what need was there for Najib to be treated at a rehabilitation centre over ulcers and high blood pressure.

He said moving the Pekan MP to CRH raised many questions of governance that Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin - who oversees prisons - and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin should address.

"I recognise that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said to give Najib the best healthcare but does the best mean breaking the law?" Charles asked.

He said if Najib was given more freedom as a prisoner while at the CRH, this would essentially violate prison rules.

Using the health system to circumvent Najib's time in prison also puts public health officials in a "very difficult position", which may force them to act against their will, the DAP lawmaker added.

As such, Charles said the government must be transparent on the matter by disclosing the logbook on Najib's movements in and out of prison, as well as the visitors he received.

He said if the government, Hamzah particularly, did not address such allegations soon, then police reports or a public inquiry to probe the matter are warranted.

Meanwhile, Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet also echoed the duo’s sentiments that health professionals treating Najib must be allowed to carry out their duties professionally without interference.

He said it would be shocking if any pressure was being applied on the health officials to give the Pekan MP preferential treatment.

"If you are an ordinary prisoner, never in a million years will you get such preferential treatment.

"The home minister and Prisons Department director-general must come out with a strong statement that such pressures are completely unacceptable," Lim said.

He said access to Najib and doctors at HKL or CRH must be limited to immediate family members or lawyers.

On whether there was a need for an independent panel of medical experts to evaluate Najib's health, Yii and Charles said it was not necessary.

Yii said it was sufficient for medical professionals at CRH to keep an eye on Najib - if they are allowed to operate independently.

However, in the event that the doctors and nurses are facing undue pressure, Lim opined that such an independent panel would be necessary.

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