M'sian Doctor Found Dead At Home, Brother Claims Workplace Bullying Led To Her Suicide
"This is not just about losing a loved one; it is a deep reflection on the entire medical system," he wrote.
A 30-year-old specialist doctor was found dead in her rental home in Lahad Datu, Sabah, on 29 August.
Two weeks after her death, her brother took to social media claiming that workplace bullying led to her suicide.
In a post on his Facebook account, the victim's brother, known as YS Tay, claimed that his sister, Dr Tay Tien Yaa, was bullied by her superior at the Pathology Department in Lahad Datu Hospital.
According to her brother, Dr Tay was the head of the Chemical Pathology Unit and had started working at the hospital in February 2024 as part of a two-year stint.
She had graduated with a Masters of Chemical Pathology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and married last year before being transferred to the district hospital in Sabah.
He stated that friends regarded his sister as "very dedicated, very humble, and enthusiastic in providing a service to the community".
Image via Hospital Lahad Datu (Facebook)
He claimed she was oppressed by the head of the department, who overloaded her with work on top of her already busy schedule
This purportedly included dealing with instrument inspections, handling countless meetings and paperwork, managing department personnel, and also overseeing the department's financial planning.
Tay said his family is still in shock after being informed that his sister died six months after reporting for duty at the hospital.
"She was an exceptional doctor who devoted her life to society, but the immense pressures and bullying in her workplace ultimately led her to end her life.
"This is not just about losing a loved one; it is a deep reflection on the entire medical system. Her talents and hard work should not have been drowned out in such a hostile environment. Her death calls for much-needed attention to the mental health and working conditions of medical professionals at their workplaces," he wrote.
As of writing, Dr Tay's brother's Facebook post has been shared over 18,000 times, with netizens expressing sadness over the doctor's death, and calling for accountability and demanding action from the healthcare sector.
Image via Berita Harian
In response, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has said the case will be investigated
"I have had zero tolerance towards bullying since 2018 and shall remain steadfast on this policy.
"All Health Ministry staff deserve a safe and just working environment," he said in a posting on X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, Lahad Datu district police chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail said they have ruled out foul play in the doctor's death
He said the police are aware of the allegations of suicide put forth by Dr Tay's family.
"However, we have not ascertained why the incident happened, but from our probe, there is no foul play involved at the moment," he said last week, as quoted by The Star.
He said the incident has been classified as sudden death.
Dzulbaharin also said the police would leave it to the Health Ministry to investigate claims that Dr Tay had been bullied by her superior.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
If you or anyone you know is lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, please call these Malaysian hotlines:
1. BEFRIENDERS KL
24-hour
Contact: +603-76272929
Email: sam@befrienders.org.my
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. TALIAN KASIH
24-hour
Contact: 15999
WhatsApp: +6019-2615999
Email: taliannur@kpwkm.gov.my
Website | Facebook
3. BUDDY BEAR CHILDLINE
Daily (12pm - 12am)
Contact: 1800-18-2327
Email: buddybear@humankind.my
Facebook | Instagram
For a more thorough directory of resources, head over to the websites of Malaysian Mental Health Association or MINDAKAMI.
The Malaysian Medical Association had previously been accused of downplaying bullying within the medical fraternity:
Besides overwork and bullying, Malaysian doctors also face poor employment terms within the civil service:
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