IPOH, April 29 — The Health Ministry does not have any record to show that a 29-year-old doctor suspected of desecrating a Hindu temple here last Sunday suffered from any known mental disorder.
The suspect, who entered the temple in Jalan Raja Ashman Shah here and smashed several idols, is undergoing mental evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan.
Health deputy director-general Datuk Dr S. Jeyaindran told Malay Mail the ministry was not aware the suspect, who worked as an intern at a government hospital here, had any mental shortcoming.
The doctor’s mental condition was repeatedly cited as the main reason for his action.
Told that state health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had said the suspect suffered from a known mental condition, Dr Jeyaindran reiterated that there were no records to show he had a mental condition.
“I am not sure where they obtained the information from but the ministry is not aware of it,” he said.
Dr Jeyaindran said the suspect joined Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital on April 11 as an intern houseman but resigned 11 days later, two days before he allegedly desecrated the temple.
“Since he has been sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for mental assessment, let’s wait for the psychiatrist’s diagnosis,” he said.
“The ministry has also not received any complaint against him during his internship.”
He said an investigation would be held to find out why the suspect resigned as an intern.
“We would like to know why he gave up his internship with 24 hours’ notice. We also want to know how he fared during his 11 days of internship.”
“The ministry cannot take action against him because he is no longer our staff after he resigned on April 22. That is why the internal inquiry is not meant to adjudicate him but only to help us find out what happened.”
Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie told Malay Mail the department did not know if the suspect had any mental disorder when he joined the hospital.
She said the doctor did not display any abnormal behaviour during his time in service.
“He resigned on his own accord,” she said.
Dr Juita also rubbished claims the suspect had refused to treat women patients.
“At that early stage of employment, doctors will be in the orientation period where they would be shown around the blood bank, the pharmacy and the medical laboratory,” she said.
“They will only tagging along with housemen and are not allowed to treat patients.”
She said the suspect was counselled by a ward specialist after he tendered his resignation on April 22 but this had nothing to do with any psychiatric or stress-related episodes.
“The ward specialist counselled him because he resigned suddenly,” she said.
