The Malacca Health Department’s directive to its pharmaceutical outlets to allow its boss, executive councillor Abdul Rahman Abdul Karim, to jump queue at its facilities was not made upon his request, said the politician.
 
In a text message to Malaysiakini, the exco member in charge of health said he had not asked for priority service but was merely making an observation during an earlier visit to a facility.
 
"It was just a normal mild reprimand (teguran) when I went to the ground,” he said of the incident where he allegedly complained after receiving slow service.
 
"The Health Department and its staff were very responsive to the reprimand to continue to raise quality standards to ensure client satisfaction. I am satisfied with their responsiveness," Rahman said.
 
"It must be noted that this is not to give me priority service but for better service to all clients, especially the disabled and senior citizens."
 
Leaked internal directive
 
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that the Malacca Health Department issued a directive for staff to allow Rahman to jump the queue at state health facilities.

The leaked internal directive was issued to the heads of state pharmaceutical facilities, along with a picture of Rahman to be put up at notice boards to ensure all frontline staff recognise him.
 
Staff were instructed to take note of his name and to ensure that all medication prescribed to Rahman is given to him without delay.
 
The directive, which applies to all government hospitals and clinics, states that this followed a complaint that Rahman was not recognised by a staff member at a pharmacy facility.
 
He purportedly received slow service as a result.
 
Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam has instructed the ministry to investigate the matter.