PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry acknowledged that the Kajang Hospital Forensic Department was negligent, over a mix-up, which saw the remains of 74-year-old Muslim convert cremated.
It's minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said it should not have occurred when the current standard operating procedures (SOP) had already be revisited and revised, following a similar incident in Penang last November.
Today, Malay-language daily Harian Metro reported that Hassan Abdullah or Lin Ah San@ Lim Ah San's body was mistaken for another deceased by the name of Chu Kim San, who was also in his 70s.
Hassan's body was handed over by the hospital's forensic department to a Buddhist welfare centre, which cremated his body yesterday.
The mistaken identity was realised, when the Al-Fikrah Malaysia Welfare Home, where Hassan was a resident, went to claim his remains at the hospital.
"Every SOP and guidelines had already been revised and explained to those who are handling the retrieval of body from the mortuary.
"Despite all that we have done, this has happened again. This is merely an act of carelessness," Dr Subramaniam told reporters at the Breaking of Fast, hosted by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya here this evening.
He said it was a serious issue now, as it involved two different religions.
"This is now an emotional and a sensitive issue which involves the sentiments of the people.
"The mistake shouldn't have happened. We are sincerely sorry for what had happened. We are truly upset over the incident," he added.
Dr Subramanian said an investigation was underway to determine how the mix-up took place.
"We will take stern disciplinary action on those who are responsible for the mix-up. Suspension is also on the cards depending on the outcome of the investigation," he added.
When asked the outcome of the investigation can be expected, he said as soon as possible.
Earlier today, the ministry's director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement said Hassan's ashes have since been handed over to the Selangor Religious Council (Mais) and the welfare home.
The ministry had also issued directives to the hospital for immediate improvements to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future, he added.