KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran today defended Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad from mounting demands for the latter to step down over the Long Lellang tragedy.
Dr Lingeshwaran, who is from the DAP, said a resignation wouldn’t solve longstanding systemic problems in the government health service.
“Issues relating to the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), workforce, allowances, and various weaknesses in the health care system have existed for years, with some persisting for several decades,” he said in a statement.
“I had previously called for the helicopter model used for the FDS to be discontinued because of concerns over safety. Initially, I was informed that the service would continue.
“However, following advice and assessments from the relevant authorities, the FDS in Sarawak was subsequently suspended temporarily. For me, the safety of health care personnel must always be the priority.”
Dzulkefly told a press conference last Wednesday morning – less than 24 hours after the FDS helicopter crash that killed five people, including four health care workers from the Ministry of Health (MOH) – that the ministry would “double down” in continuing its air medical service.
Yesterday afternoon, the health minister backtracked from his position and announced that the MOH would suspend the FDS service in Sarawak, pending safety and operational reviews.
That decision also came after Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, which operated the helicopter in the crash, voluntarily grounded its entire fleet of BO-105 helicopters and other aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce 250-series engines.
Dr Lingeshwaran was responding to a CodeBlue report yesterday on a chorus of calls for Dzulkefly’s resignation due to the health minister’s handling of the crisis.
He, however, disagreed with Dzulkefly’s proposal last November to double the Air Health Service Incentive Payment allowance from RM30 to RM60.
“I appreciate the effort to review the allowance, but RM60 is still not commensurate with the risks, responsibilities, and working conditions faced by FDS personnel. My demand is RM110.”
The senator claimed that the MOH was planning “many initiatives”.
“However, we must also understand the realities of the government bureaucracy. Ministers cannot implement everything immediately because many decisions require processes and approvals involving the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Public Service Department (JPA), relevant agencies and government procedures.”
Finally, Dr Lingeshwaran demanded the establishment of a Health Service Commission.
“I once again urge the Minister to seize this opportunity to make it a reality. Implement it while you are still holding this portfolio. Do not wait until you are no longer holding the position, and only then say that this should have been implemented,” he said.
“The Long Lellang tragedy must lead to a comprehensive investigation, accountability and systemic reform, rather than being used as an excuse to find a political scapegoat.”
