Health ministry gets dead serious over bribery at mortuaries
PETALING JAYA : The health ministry has issued a stern warning to hospital mortuary staff not to accept any form of payment, gift, or donation in exchange for handling the remains of dead people or providing information about the deceased.
In a recent circular sent to all hospitals, the ministry made it clear that accepting money or cooperating with funeral service agents could be seen as corruption.
Hospital staff are also barred from giving third parties — especially funeral service companies or their agents – any information about dead people.
The ministry said this directive is meant to protect the integrity of mortuary services and ensure that the remains are handed over to families without any interference or misconduct.
'Hospital authorities must make sure no external parties are involved in managing bodies before they are released to the next of kin,' the ministry said. 'Funeral service agents must not be allowed to loiter around mortuary areas.'
All dealings with funeral companies must be handled directly by the deceased's family — not through hospital staff recommendations, said the ministry.
This comes amid longstanding complaints of funeral agents harassing grieving families at mortuaries and allegedly offering to fast-track the release of remains, sometimes with the help of hospital insiders.
These complaints led to a special operation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in May last year in which several suspects were arrested.
Five government hospital employees in Seremban were charged in December with 21 counts of bribery related to mortuary services. The bribes ranged from RM600 to RM2,250 and were allegedly received between 2021 and 2024.
In a similar case three months earlier, four suspects including a medical assistant attached to Kajang Hospital's forensic unit were also arrested for corruption.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
Police report lodged over AI scam video using King's fake images
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confirmed receiving a report regarding a 32-second video circulating on TikTok that uses AI-generated images of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. The video, found on the account @DATUKZULKARNAIN77, is suspected to be part of a fraudulent scheme. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa stated that the clip falsely portrays Sultan Ibrahim announcing financial aid for Malaysians in distress. The video directs viewers to contact an individual named 'Datuk Zulkarnain,' raising immediate red flags. 'The content is fabricated and likely created using AI technology,' Rusdi clarified in an official statement. Authorities are actively investigating the case under Section 419 of the Penal Code (cheating by impersonation) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (misuse of network facilities). The public is urged to remain vigilant against such scams, especially those involving manipulated media. Police advise verifying any suspicious financial offers through official channels before responding. - Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
KL mayor: Include women in decision-making spaces
A NEW whole-of-society approach is needed to empower women across all economic sectors to unlock the full potential of the 'sheconomy'. This, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said, would drive inclusive, sustainable development in the Asean region. She said women must be included in decision-making spaces and recognised as key architects of change, especially in city-level transformation where daily life is most affected. Dr Wan Azizah (seated centre) and guests with attendees of the Asean 2024 WEF at the Miti building in Kuala Lumpur. 'The 'sheconomy' is not a parallel economy. It is a reimagining of our whole economy, powered by inclusion. 'Inclusion is not charity; it is good policy,' she said in a Bernama report. Maimunah was speaking at a plenary session titled 'Asean Women Leading Social Change: Integrating Social Goals with Economic Growth in the 'sheconomy'', at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025 held at the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) building in Kuala Lumpur. Maimunah, a former executive director of UN-Habitat, said it was key to embed gender equity into urban governance, budgeting and service delivery. She said this aligned with the Asean Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework 2021-2025 and stressed the importance of having Kuala Lumpur put the framework into practice by ensuring better housing, transport and public health policies serve women. Maimunah also shared initiatives by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) through the Safe City Programme, which includes the installation of 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and improved street lighting. 'These efforts are not just for safety, but for dignity and inclusion. 'We are creating safer zones, better transit points and walkable neighbourhoods centred on women's mobility. 'In 2024, crime dropped by 15% in the upgraded areas and women reported feeling safer,' she said. Despite the progress, she said only 10% of local councils in Malaysia are led by women. Maimunah added that the private sector plays a crucial role in unlocking the potential of the 'sheconomy' by elevating women into leadership positions, fostering inclusive innovation and building supportive workplace cultures. 'Gender-smart investing, mentorship programmes and targeted support for women-led start-ups, particularly in the green and digital sectors, are how we activate the 'sheconomy'. 'Academia plays a part too, by producing gender-disaggregated data, training women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), governance as well as documenting what works. 'Communities must be empowered. Women entrepreneurs, mothers and youth must be recognised, not just as participants, but as planners and leaders,' she said. Maimunah, who is Kuala Lumpur's first female mayor, said since joining DBKL in August last year, strides had been made to close the leadership gap. She said currently, women make up 29.3% of DBKL staff, 43.6% of professionals, 44% of department heads and 40% of top management, surpassing the 30% benchmark for women representation in top management roles. Maimunah was also conferred the 'Women of the Decade' award alongside Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
‘Datuk' held over Pahang award
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 Text Size: Karunanithy confirmed the arrest and said the suspect was released on bail. Kota Kinabalu: A businessman with the title 'Datuk' has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly soliciting RM6,000 from an individual to obtain a Pahang state award. The suspect, in his 40s, was arrested at noon Monday when he appeared at the Sabah MACC Office here to give a statement. According to a source, the suspect is believed to have offered to help the complainant obtain the title of Datuk from Pahang in 2023, even though he did not have the authority to do so. 'The suspect is believed to have dishonestly induced the complainant to transfer RM6,000 purportedly for the purchase of ceremonial clothing accessories needed to obtain the award,' he said. Sabah MACC Director Datuk S Karunanithy confirmed the arrest and said the suspect was released on bail. He said the suspect is scheduled to be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court this Thursday (July 24) under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
