Sungai Siput MP files leave application over MoH's guidelines

KUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj today filed a leave application for a judicial review over the Health Ministry's guideline on medical fee for foreigners in the country.
The application, filed at the Kuala Lumpur Court complex, named Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Government as defendants.
Micheal is seeking a declaration that the ministry had acted without lawful basis in deciding on April 21, this year, to refuse to discuss the implementation of the new Medical Fee Order for foreigners
made under the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Fee Order (Medical) (Service Cost) 2014, which was implemented on Jan 1, this year.
He is also seeking, among others. an order that the ministry and minister should actively engage and discuss with the relevant authorities to ensure that any circulars released by the ministry are in line
with the the precepts of public health.
Speaking to reporters later, he said the guidelines had set a charge of up to RM92 for examination, while immigrants without proper travelling documents seeking medical help will have to be reported to the police or immigration.
He added they would cause foreign workers who are sick not to seek medical attention since the fees are high, while illegal immigrants fear seeking medical help as they might be caught and deported.
If left unchecked, these foreigners might spread diseases like tuberculosis), he said, adding the disease was on the rise in Malaysia as 24,711 cases were detected last year compared to about 10,000 in 1990.
Micheal, who is part of the Coalition Against Privatisation of Medical Services, said they had sought a meeting with the minister on the guidelines but there was no response.
He also raised the matter in parliament but no answer was given by the ministry, and this prompted him to seek legal recourse.