"Clean Up Your Own Backyard" – MMA Slams MACC Over Bribery Video Featuring Doctors

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Editor's note: The story has been updated with a statement by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on 6 January.

MMA said the video, which depicts a doctor accepting a bribe from a patient to issue a medical certificate (MC), was offensive and crass.

"The video is an insult to the sanctity and image of our medical profession," MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said in a statement yesterday, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today.

"The government agency should have used other examples to convey its message. As doctors, we feel deeply offended by the post, which should be taken down immediately."

He then slides an envelope over to the doctor who accepts the "gift" and then proceeds to write up the documents.

The video ends with the campaign tagline, "Restore integrity, fight corruption".

The post has since garnered over one million views and thousands of replies from netizens criticising MACC's decision to choose the medical profession as an example for corruption.

Social media users urged MACC to use more pressing cases involving real-case bribery as the basis for their awareness videos instead.

"Recently, many of our doctors were up to their waist in floodwater, sending aid to flood victims even while their clinics were destroyed by the floods," Koh reminded.

According to New Straits Times, he said these are few examples of many doctors' commitment and undying passions in providing care to the public.

"MMA demands that MACC issues a public apology for the video, which we feel was done in poor taste, and while they are at it, clean up its own backyard," Koh added, citing netizen's comments regarding the anti-graft body's own reputation in response to the video.

MACC said the video clip was made based on a true event that was once investigated by the commission.

"MACC appreciates all the efforts, sacrifice, and contributions of all medical practitioners in the country, especially since the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic," read the statement.

"In view of this, based on the values of responsibility and unity, the MACC has decided to withdraw the video clip to protect sensitivities and harmony."