LOOKING AT CASE: Ling (left) looks over some documents in Tan’s (centre) medical claims case.
MIRI: The government must win the hearts of the people by being fair and caring at all times, and not just during election time.
“The people has high expectations on the government on being fair and caring at all times,” Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong said when relating a medical case brought to his attention by a complainant during a meet-the-people session here recently.
Ling talked to a former hairstylist Tan Sie Huat to learn of his treatment at Marudi Hospital which caused Tan to lapse into a coma and was rushed to Miri Hospital for two months of intensive care. It took him another six months to recuperate.
He (Ling) brought up the case with the Ministry of Health, and investigation appeared to vindicate Tan that there was an element of negligence.
“Tan was offered RM3,600 ex-gratia payment to settle the case in a week, which he felt was inadequate to cover for his losses as a result of the incident, and wished to appeal,” said Ling who produced the letter of offer from the ministry.
Ling hoped that the government would be more considerate of the patient’s grievances, and suggested Tan’s case be reviewed for a fair compensation based on his last earnings of about RM10,000.
“Otherwise, the people will think the government is
taking lightly of its worker’s performance by not providing sufficient relief to alleviate the patient’s burden.”
“He is not asking for excessive compensation, but fair enough to cover for expenses incurred and loss of earnings,” he added.