GEORGE TOWN: Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya has told Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to mind his own business over the latter's remark that MACC must arrest and investigate the former for supporting a bogus dentist.
Dr Hilmi said he was all the more surprised that the call came from none other than the chief executive of the state without investigating the matter thoroughly.
"Without checking the facts, the chief minister called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to arrest and investigate me. I can take it if it comes from a layman, but for someone of his status, it is as if he is trying to degrade the chief minister's institution and take over the role of the graft buster.
"My advice to him is this -- do your own job first and don't interfere in others' affairs. Many issues in the state remain unresolved such as the constant flooding, the worsening traffic and the proposed increase in water rates.
"The people put you there to serve them. If you can't do the job, then let others do it for you," he told newsmen here today.
Lim had reportedly said that state Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh was arrested by the MACC on Aug 11 for allegedly sending two appeal letters to the Seberang Prai Municipal Council seeking a delay in demolition action against an illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu.
He had said that if Phee could be arrested and investigated for sending two appeal letters in his capacity as an elected representative, why should Dr Hilmi be exempted from arrest when he had forwarded the fake, bogus and illegal dentist’s appeal letter to the Health Ministry.
Dr Hilmi said his situation differed from that of Phee, adding that Phee’s letters were a directive while his was merely seeking an explanation.
"And since the case is already in court, I am aware that I can no longer interfere.
"That much I understand very well as I have been in the government longer that Lim," he said.
Dr Hilmi had recently maintained that he never supported the bogus dentist who was fined RM70,000 by a Melaka Sessions Court, for running an unregistered private dental clinic.
He, however, said that as the Balik Pulau member of parliament, he did extend Nur Farahanis Ezatty Adli’s appeal letter to the ministry's Oral Health Division director for consideration.
He went on to say that he does not condone her action, nor does he support her.
In an Instagram post, Nur Farahanis had claimed that her “business” was approved and granted by the Health Ministry and expressed gratitude to both Dr Hilmi and his private secretary, Aziaan Ariffin.
On Sept 29, Nur Farahanis was fined RM70,000 by the Sessions Court in Melaka for running a private dental clinic, which was not registered under Section 27 of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
She, however, was sentenced to six months in jail for failing to pay the fine, but was then released from prison after serving only six days after several non-governmental organisations and members of the public had raised money to pay for the fine.