KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 ― Sacked nurse Naziah Sauni Samat is ready to battle her former employer in court over her sudden dismissal following her refusal to wear a short-sleeved uniform at work.
The former nurse with Damai Service Hospital (Melawati) believes she was right to publicise her complaint about the dress code, which she insists was an infringement of her right to observe her religion and is prepared to be sued.
“I am ready. I will take them on,” Naziah told Malay Mail Online in a phone interview.
“I have all the proof. I am on the right side,” she added.
But Naziah said she has yet to receive any letter from the hospital.
Four days ago, Damai Service Hospital (Melawati) said it plans to sue Naziah who publicly complained she was prevented from working after refusing to wear a short-sleeve uniform, for allegedly defaming the hospital.
The hospital also plans to sue Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) who held the press conference where the nurse made her claim.
Naziah said she has the proof to show that her former employer had acted discriminatively against her by prohibiting her from working until she complied with the hospital's dress code.
The nurse also acknowledged that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam had defended the hospital's action and asserted that private hospitals have the right to impose its own dress codes.
But Naziah claimed Dr Subramaniam's deputy Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya was quoted in news reports saying that private hospitals must allow Muslim nurses to put on uniforms that covered their aurat as required by Islam, saying that this was policy.
“I think he made it clear that Muslim nurses in private hospitals are allowed to put on long sleeve uniforms like those with the government,” she said, referring to Dr Hilmi’ reported remarks.
The nurse said PPIM has already hired a lawyer to represent her in court should the hospital proceed to sue her.
Naziah, who has a diploma in nursing, worked at a clinic before joining the hospital on September 1 this year.
She had previously worked as a personal nurse in Japan for over a year.
