PETALING JAYA: Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry is investigating an allegation that a hospital in Johor withheld treatment for a hit-and-run victim until family and friends paid cash up-front.

“We are investigating. Will issue a press statement after our investigation,” he said in a WhatsApp to FMT.

Noor Hisham was responding to reports that a 25-year-old Singaporean died after the accident in Johor Bahru and his friends blamed his death on the delay by the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in providing treatment.

Singapore daily The Independent said Justinian Tan was denied even preliminary medical scans until cash payments were made.

After waiting five hours for treatment, Tan’s friends contacted the Singapore embassy which arranged for a private ambulance to take Tan back to Singapore.

However, when the ambulance arrived at the Singapore General Hospital, doctors they said nothing could be done as too much time had elapsed.

Johor health and environment committee chairman Ayob Rahmat had previously told FMT that they too were investigating the matter.

FMT is attempting to contact the Sultanah Aminah Hospital for a response on the matter.

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