Caging mentally disabled man ‘unpardonable’

Posted on September 27, 2013

Malaysia - Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr N.K.S Tharmaseelan is “embarrassed, distressed and pained” over the caging of a mentally-disabled person in Kuala Pilah.

Commenting on a statement by Senaling Welfare Department head Mohd Nazrizam Sulong that “caging a mentally-disabled person is all right,” Dr Tharmaseelan expressed shock that this could occur in Malaysia that has a “caring society and an excellent healthcare system”.

Mohd Nazrizam was referring to the case of Abdul Rahman, who has lived in a cage in Kampung Rembang Panas, Kuala Pilah, for 17 years.

Dr Tharmaseelan questioned the family’s act of caging the 51-year-old, who was not at fault for being mentally ill.

“I hope other families do not follow this repugnant practice. To condone such abasing of an individual is really unpardonable,” he said.

He said mental health services in Malaysia were advanced and comparable to those in developed countries, and a psychiatric department was available in almost every major hospital.

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Category(s):Mental Health in Asia

Source material from Malaysia Mail