As Jeffrey had suggested, perhaps most of the other doctors _complied_ (NOT supported), simply because they were not in as poor financial standing as Dr Basmullah. He was already in debt, and had outstanding bills.

Perhaps many non-doctors do not know this, but the PHFSAct 1998, came along with some new regulations, called “Regulations2006″ which were signed into effect by Chua Soi Lek on 1st May 2006, totally WITHOUT discussion or consultation with private sector doctors.
These Regulations2006 threatened clinics which had been operating without problem for the past ten or twenty years, such that the clinics were required to undergo renovations and modifications and additions as well as purchase emergency equipment of disputed efficacy, or otherwise run afoul of the law.
I am not sure if Dr Basmullah may have thought that he would have to ensure that his clinic undergo renovations to comply with the disputed specifications, before he applied for the registration. The renovations, if done, would have cost much money, as well as interruption in income stream, due to work stoppage.
Fortunately for some doctors, there are online discussion groups which were kept informed of ongoing discussions with Ministry officials, and that doctors were told that there was no need for the renovations “for the time being.” However, it is uncertain if Dr Basmullah had known of this, or had access to these forums.
If he had NOT known, it might explain why he was hesitant to apply for registration.
If an application is rejected, the applicant is required to submit another fresh application, after making required amendments, with ANOTHER application fee - costing ANOTHER RM500!

According to Dr Ismail Merican:-

· “the Dr Basmullah Yusom was given chance, after his Al-Hilal Medical Centre Sdn Bhd was sealed on July 11, last year, to register” and procure license at cost of RM1,500 but he still didn’t.

· Dr Basmullah also declined the Health Ministry’s offer to pay installments of fine of RM120,000 as option to stay out of jail, and again her didn’t take the offer of installment payments.

· In respect of Medical community’s misgivings of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) into force on May 1, 2006, Dr Ismail Merican said “the ministry has so far approved the registration of 6,322 clinics, 1,439 dental clinics and 51 clinics which offer aesthetic procedures” and according to him, this spoke volumes of the support from the majority of doctors.

This kind of registration does not speak volume of support. It simply means many who could afford RM1500 for the license register to avoid the hassle of what Basmullah Yusom has gone through so far.

See: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2147250/Article/index_html

This is a wake up call to all Malaysians to fight for justice and fairness irrespective of our backgrounds and deny the HP6 BN Government the 2/3 majority.

and yeah…bono will be damned damned proud sheriff =)

Is the poof drafting of the legislation to be blamed or poor leadership or just a case of sentencing guideline in the hands of the wrong judge?

You can open beauty salon, inject industrial silicone to enhance nose and breasts. Get caught and nothing happens, you won’t even be charged in court.

And what about building a multi-million ringgit mansion without approval? Just a few hundred ringgit fine! And the mansion becomes legal too! Cheaper then to ask a lawyer to apply for approval. Perhaps w should build our houses or renovate them first and be fined a small sum to make our buildings legal,

If the good doc is a fake one, such a big fine is justified. But he is trained at USM and a legimatd doctor. I have not heard of even bogus doctors fined more than a few thousand ringgit.

I am not saying they should let the poor (pun meant) doctor go free without any punishment. A few of perhaps RM500 and a warning that his practising cert may be suspended for a year if he repeats the offence would be sufficient.

RM120,000 is surely a bit stiff.