23-07-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
S'wak to act against hospital staff acting as middlemen in funerals
FMT reported a former doctor as alleging that a gang, acting as agents for funeral services, has long 'dominated' the mortuary of a public hospital in Sarawak. (KKM pic)
PETALING JAYA : The Sarawak health department has pledged to take strict action against staff at a public hospital allegedly acting as insiders and leaking information about patient deaths to outsiders.
Its director, Dr Veronica Lugah, said the health ministry was committed to ensuring public healthcare services were delivered in a transparent, ethical and accountable manner.
'In line with established rules and procedures, all healthcare service personnel are prohibited from acting as middlemen for funeral arrangements.
'Any violation of these rules and procedures will be met with disciplinary action under the Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993,' she said in a statement.
On Thursday, FMT reported a former doctor as alleging that a gang, acting as agents for funeral services, had long 'dominated' the mortuary of a public hospital in Sarawak.
The former civil servant, who asked to be known as Johan, said gang members often showed up as soon as a death was reported at the emergency department or hospital wards, sometimes even before the death was officially confirmed.
He claimed insiders were leaking information to gang members in exchange for payment.
Veronica said the management of patients who die at government hospitals is entirely the responsibility of the next of kin.
'The hospital does not provide funeral management services, nor is it involved in selecting or appointing any party to handle such matters.
'This includes the transportation, preparation or handling of the body, which remains solely under the family's responsibility.'
As such, she said any elements of coercion, threats or acts resembling gangsterism by parties claiming control over funeral arrangements should be reported to the police for a thorough investigation and for appropriate action to be taken.
