“The integrity of our healthcare system is paramount and any abuse of trust by medical practitioners is a serious matter,” MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said.

He said MMA expressed its full support to all relevant authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, to carry out a “fair and thorough” investigation into the matter.

“All parties being questioned or investigated should be treated fairly and given a fair hearing,” he said in a statement.

It was reported on Sept 4 that three orthopaedic specialists were among 33 people remanded to assist in a MACC investigation into a cartel allegedly involved in falsifying Socso disability claims involving RM2.1 million. The 30 comprised 19 claimants, eight agents and three runners.

Two of the orthopaedic specialists are said to be from two government hospitals while one is from a private hospital in Seberang Jaya.

The next day, two more doctors were remanded for their activities in the cartel, allegedly active since 2017.

It is understood that the false claims were related to spinal and “anterior cruciate ligament” knee injuries.

The claimants who received the money would take 50%, while the remaining 50% were allegedly distributed among the doctors, agents and runners.

It is alleged that the doctors, who are suspected of forging medical reports, could receive up to RM10,000 for each claim.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 for false claims, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and a fine of RM10,000 or five times the value of the false claims, whichever is higher, upon conviction.