We do not want political leverage, says family of doctor found dead in Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of the doctor who died in Lahad Datu has no intention of using her death for political leverage.

“I just want justice for my daughter,” said her mother, Lim Siang Heyeo.

At a press conference on Tuesday (Oct 9) at Wisma MCA, the brother of pathology specialist Dr Tay Tien Yaa said he and their mother had discussed the growing public response following their initial press conference on Oct 1.

“We only want justice, not controversy. We want to clarify that this will be investigated as a normal case, and we do not want to be embroiled in any unnecessary conflicts with any party, ” said Tay Yong Shen.

Tay and his mother expressed gratitude to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong for their response.

He also expressed hope that the independent task force announced on Oct 2 would include their appointed lawyer, Datuk Nazri Ibrahim, to assist in establishing the facts surrounding his sister’s death.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said that the case has attracted significant public attention and added that this could lead some to exploit the situation.

He urged everyone to refrain from commenting until the investigation concludes to ensure the facts are established.

Dr Tay was a pathology specialist at Hospital Lahad Datu and was found dead in her rented home on Aug 29 amid allegations of workplace bullying.

She had been the head of the hospital’s Chemical Pathology Unit and was living alone at the time.

On Oct 1, her brother Yong Shen stated that his sister had not displayed signs of depression or suicidal intent.

He mentioned that the family discovered evidence in her WhatsApp messages regarding her heavy workload and mistreatment.

In response to these allegations, the Health Ministry has initiated a special independent task force to investigate her death thoroughly.

This task force, led by former Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Borhan Dollah, will officially commence its work on Oct 10.