He seeks trial in people’s court, says Abdul Latiff

July 31, 2008 by dewiarjuna

It’s all a ploy to switch a trial by a court of law to a court of public opinion according to the deputy health minister today. He was responding to questions on whether Pusrawi’s (Pusat Perubatan Islam) leaked medical report on Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan would change anything.

“People have to understand that this is a game played by Anwar Ibrahim. It is a ploy to use popular opinion to judge him instead of the existing courts of law,” said Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.”As for the Health Ministry, we are bound by the laws set forth in Police Act. As such, we can’t just use any medical reports by any hospital which coincidentally examined the victim.”

Yesterday, Health Ministry director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the ministry will stand by the findings of the medical examination.Asked if Pusrawi would be investigated, he said that if there were negligence on the part of the hospital, action would be taken.

“If necessary we will take the appropriate action against the doctor for any breach of ethics or the hospital for leaking the medical records of a patient.”This, he added, was not limited to the Health Ministry alone as the victim too has the right to sue them too for breaching his right to privacy.

Such a breach also contravenes the privacy of a patient, he added.Persons who leaked the report without the approval of the hospital can also be charged under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, said Abdul Latiff.

Not a proper report .As for the medical report itself, Abdul Latiff said that at this juncture the authenticity of the report was still in question.”We still do not know if the report was prepared by the doctor or by parties inside Pusrawi,” said Abdul Latiff.The deputy minister was equally unsure if what was leaked was a medical report.

“It seems more like notes and not a proper report,” said Abdul Latiff.”An actual medical report would contain more information and is properly written. What we have now looks more like the doctor’s scribbling.”