Materia Medica Malaysiana

About a third of 24-hour clinics in Klang valley close early

KUALA LUMPUR July 17 - About 30 percent of the 2,000 clinics operating 24 hours in the Klang Valley have taken precautionary measures by closing at midnight for fear of being robbed, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) President Datuk Dr N. Arumugam.

He said most of these clinics were situated in night spots where many night clubs and 24-hour restaurants operated.

The clinics resorted to such measures for fear of being robbed by those posing as patients, he told reporters after opening a seminar on physical abuse, including abusing maids in Malaysia here.

"It is a dangerous situation as in most instances, a clinic is only manned by a doctor and two assistants and they may all be women," he said.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who opened the seminar said she would submit a memorandum to the Cabinet for all entertainment outlets close to residential areas to be closed by 2 am.

"If the local authorities still insist on allowing them to be open until the morning, they must ensure the safety of those who patronise such places by increasing police patrols," she said.

She said closing such outlets early would also prevent youths from patronising such places until the wee hours, which might lead to other social ills.