Dzulkefly said the guidelines are aimed at raising awareness among healthcare staff regarding workplace bullying, clarifying reporting procedures, and preventative measures.

In a written parliamentary reply, he also said the guidelines are meant to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of its staff, and create a safe and harmonious workplace free from bullying threats.

He noted that bullying at workplaces can lead to negative effects such as decreased productivity, undermined employee morale, and mental health issues.

“As the ministry leading the health sector, various efforts and initiatives have been implemented to address bullying to preserve the mental well-being of staff in the health ministry,” he said.

“The ministry does not compromise on the issue of bullying … and we have taken a firm and transparent stance by reporting the results of investigations into bullying once they are completed.”

Dzulkefly said the ministry’s efforts to combat bullying include an online bullying complaint system called MyHELP which allows the ministry’s staff to report bullying incidents directly to the ministry’s integrity unit.

He was responding to a question from Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) on the ministry’s plans to end bullying in government hospitals and clinics following the recent reported suicide of a specialist doctor.

Earlier this month, Dzulkefly said the health ministry has formed an independent special task force to investigate the death of a pathologist in Lahad Datu, Sabah, who allegedly committed suicide.

He said the task force would look into the work culture at the Lahad Datu Hospital, determine whether bullying exists at the hospital, and also analyse the findings of investigations into the death.

It will also identify the type of bullying that typically occurs in government hospitals as well as factors that may contribute to it, and prepare a report of its findings and recommendations within three months.