We, the undersigned doctors, wish not to enter into the polemics of the Bersih 2.0 march on 9th July 2011 but would like to clarify the inconvenient truth.
We are outraged at the incidents, and the subsequent responses from the authorities, to the events where tear gas and chemical laced water were shot into the compounds of Tung Shin and Chinese Maternity Hospitals, two adjacent buildings along Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, with scant regard for the safety of patients, staff and the general public who were at the buildings that afternoon.
Hospitals are considered as safe sanctuaries for all, even during war times, but these consecrated places of refuge and protection were violated by the defence forces that afternoon. Police even entered the buildings in search of some of these peaceful marchers. What was most frightening and witnessed by many was the unprovoked violent assault within the hospital compounds and apprehension of several protesters who had merely run into the hospitals to seek shelter from the tear gas and the water cannons!
It is repulsive that the authorities entrusted with policing the nation and protecting the weak and needy, have shamelessly denied publicly, the occurrence of these incidents IN SPITE of countless photo/video and eye witness accounts of what was evident to all independent observers.
A few of the undersigned were actually visiting or working in the hospitals concerned at the time of the events and will gladly provide sworn affidavits, if required, as to veracity of the incidents
The Malaysian public expect holders of high public office to honour their positions accorded by the citizens, by discharging their duties with moral integrity, dignity and transparency.
Their failure to do so raises the public’s doubts in their competence and credibilty as much as it demeans those high offices.
Dr Ng Kwee Boon – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Datin Dr Low Paik See – Consultant Paediatrician
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin – Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
Dr Mazeni Alwi – Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr David Quek – Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Sheikh Johari Bux – Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Dr Steve Wong – Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa – Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr Ng Swee Choon – Consultant Cardiologist