PUTRAJAYA: The office of Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya has issued a denial that he or anyone in the ministry supports an individual who was convicted of providing illegal dental services.
“This administration would like to refer to the viral messages on social media alleging that the Deputy Health Minister and members of the administration supports the actions of the individual who was sentenced by the Court for the offence of providing illegal dental services.
“In relation to this, it is emphasised that the Deputy Minister or any other member of this administration have never supported and will never compromise with any individual or group that has broken the country’s rules and regulations.”
The statement was released today, following messages on social media alleging Hilmi had shown support for Nur Farahanis Ezatty Adli, 20, who was released from prison on Thursday after serving only six days out of her six-month jail term for failing to pay a court fine of RM70,000.
The New Straits Times (NST) reported that on Sept 29, she was fined 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.
NST also reported the fine was settled by the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and the Malaysia Islamic Economic Activist Organisation (PPEM) which ran a public campaign to raise funds for Nur Farahanis to pay the fine.
In response to the campaign, Malaysian Association of Orthodontists (MAO) president Dr Noraini Alwi said it sent the wrong message to the public, reported The Malay Mail.
She was quoted as saying in a statement the public was mostly unaware of the differences between specialist orthodontists, dentists and laypersons providing dental specialist services, such as orthodontics.
She added it was also unacceptable dental procedures could be carried out by anyone with some amount of intelligence, as implied by PPIM.
“Those who put them on are irresponsible people who, under the pretext of ‘helping friends or other Malaysians get access to such treatment’ are nothing more than people seeking commercial gain.
“If care is not taken in the diagnosis, treatment, planning and case management of any orthodontic case, the patient may suffer dire consequences, such as damage to the teeth, gums and supporting bone, which may be irreversible.”
MAO strongly advised the public not to be duped by such illegal practices and to seek a legitimate dental practitioner for dental needs and a specialist orthodontist for orthodontic needs.
The public is advised to visit the MAO’s website at www.mao.org.my for information on orthodontics and a nationwide list of specialist orthodontist members.
