BALIK PULAU, Sept 6 – Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya (photo) hoped that his statement on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng being prepared to provide a report on the alleged racist doctors issue in the state will not be drawn out.
“I hope this situation will not be drawn out. We’re working for the people and it’s best to ignore such petty issues which do not benefit them,” he said after a function here on Friday.
He said so far he had not received any letter of notice from the state government on the matter.
He was commenting on the demand by state Health executive councilor Dr Afif Bahardin for an apology and retraction of Hilmi’s statement that Lim had claimed to hand over a report on the issue.
In a media statement last month, Afif said that the state government would take legal action against the deputy minister if he failed to apologise and retract his statement within two weeks.
Lim had earlier denied making a verbal promise to the Health Ministry on handing over such a report.
The deputy minister said instead of bickering among themselves the state government and ministry should actually be working together to enhance services to the people.
“I have not received any report on the allegation. The ministry will investigate the matter,” he said.
The issue over the alleged racist attitude of the doctors was initially raised by Pinang Tunggal state assemblyman Datuk Roslan Saidin at a sitting of the Penang state assembly early last month.
– BERNAMA
