No signs of organ smuggling in local hospitals, police say

MI KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Police have dismissed allegations that any local hospital has been involved in organ trade activities.
Bukit Aman CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said their investigations had found no evidence that could prove such activities were being carried out at any of the local hospitals.

“The police, along with the Health Ministry and Interpol, found that no hospitals in Malaysia were involved in illegal organ harvesting and trade, and we urge anyone with information on such activities to make a report, so the police can investigate.

“Organ trade is not an easy activity to carry out as it involves many processes, and we continuously monitor and investigate to prevent this crime,” he told a news conference with Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman also present.

It was reported on September 21, last year that Bangladeshi police launched an operation to crack down on illegal kidney trade in Southeast Asia, following the arrest of eight suspects involved in persuading illiterate victims.

Investigations revealed the eight suspects were detained at a hospital in Bangladesh, with links to India, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Joypurhat Police Superintendent Mozammel Haque was quoted as saying that each victim was paid between US$2,000 (RM6,000) and US$3,000 (RM9,000) per kidney, but he was unsure of the organ’s price in the black market.

Bakri said media report on March 2012 that two Bangladeshi men had been victims of kidney trade in Malaysia to pay off their debt were untrue.

“Our investigations found the reports were not true, and the victims have yet to lodge a report on their supposed exploitation by an organ trade syndicate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Hasan said the ministry viewed organ trade seriously and would not compromise should the activities take place in any hospital in Malaysia.

“We will immediately report any such activity as it can tarnish the medical profession as well as the country’s image,” he added. — Bernama