5,000 private doctors call for Jeyakumar's release

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations, which represents some 5,000 private doctors nationwide, has joined hands with others in the medical profession in calling for the release of Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar.

"We are extremely concerned at the continued detention of our colleague, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, whom we all recognise and acknowledge as a law-abiding, competent, kind and diligent doctor.

"His public service record is exemplary and, to the very best of our knowledge, he is certainly not a threat to our society," the federation said in a media statement today.

It quoted Jeyakumar's long tenure in government service and charitable work as "selflessly serving the rakyat", reminding that the good doctor was well known for his capacity for charity and kindness for all under his care, regardless of ethnicity and religion.

"We, appeal to have the detention order against Dr Michael Jeyakumar lifted," said the statement, which also appealed for the release of the other Parti Sosialis Malaysia members who are being detained under similar circumstances.

Jeyakumar and five other PSM members are currently being held under the Emergency Ordinance for alleged involvement in planning the outlawed Bersih 2.0 rally for electoral reforms.

Prior to this, 176 medical practitioners have issued similar calls for his release.