“We will not hide or keep (the findings) secret. We will disclose it based on the principles of accountability, responsibility and transparency,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during Minister’s Question Time today.

“It is important for this to be done so that all parties can fully learn from it, whether the perpetrators, policymakers or executives.”

Dzulkefly was responding to a supplementary question from Howard Lee (PH-Ipoh Timor) on whether the ministry would make the task force’s findings public and what actions would be taken if bullying was a factor in the death.

Dr Tay Tien Yaa, a pathologist at Lahad Datu Hospital, Sabah, died on Aug 29. Her sister claimed that bullying might have been one of the factors that led to her death.

This prompted the Malaysian Medical Association to urge the health ministry and state health department to expedite a thorough investigation into the matter, as it expressed concern over doctors’ mental health and well-being in the public healthcare system.

The task force is looking into the work culture at Lahad Datu Hospital and will also analyse the findings of the investigation into Tay’s death.

Refuting claims that he and his ministry were slow to act, Dzulkefly said an internal investigation was launched immediately upon discovering the incident.

“And that was (also) exactly what I did in 2018,” he said, referring to a similar case at a hospital in the Klang Valley, which led to the dismissal of the department head.

The doctor was accused of sexual harassment after a special committee completed its investigation into the case.

Dzulkefly also said the ministry is investigating another death involving a doctor at a hospital in Penang, allegedly linked to workplace bullying.

Responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat), he said he did not rule out the possibility of establishing an independent committee to conduct a thorough review of the case.