In a statement, Ipoh police chief Yahaya Hassan said the 43-year-old doctor filed the report yesterday and claimed that the letter, which had since gone viral, tarnished his reputation, Bernama reported.

“Early investigations found that the viral letter accused the doctor and several other hospital staff of misconduct against housemen at the hospital’s orthopaedic department,” he was quoted as saying.

Yahaya said the case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 for improper use of network facilities or services.

He urged members of the public with information to contact the investigating officer in charge, Fadli Ahmad, at 019-2500019 to assist in the probe.

“We urge the public against making unfounded statements or spreading rumours that could damage someone’s reputation,” he said.

Yesterday, FMT reported that the health ministry had launched an investigation into the complaints made in the anonymous letter.

Perak health department director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said an independent investigation committee was set up on Feb 29 to look into the complaints.

Previously, the anonymous letter made its rounds on social media, stating that a group of former housemen had filed a complaint with the Ipoh hospital’s director about a series of alleged sexual harassment incidents involving a doctor.