Indian quack jailed in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: An Indian national has earned the dubious distinction of being the first 'foreign bogus doctor' to be convicted and jailed for abusing his work permit in Malaysia.

Surinder Pal, 34, was sentenced to five-month imprisonment at the Semenyih detention centre's special Immigration court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty.

The quack was arrested 10 days back for treating a patient at a local clinic here eventhough he did not have any valid qualifications to be a doctor and was not registered with the Malaysian Medical Association.

He was charged under Malaysia's Immigration Regulations for contravening his employment pass.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine not exceeding RM1,000 (Rs 11,700 approx) or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.

Immigration deputy assistant director Kasthuri Bai Venugopal, who was also the prosecuting officer, asked the court for a deterrent sentence given the seriousness of the offence and its implications on the public as he was an unqualified doctor.

Pal had been issued an employment pass to work as a technical director at a local company in Taman Selatan Klang. Immigration officers found documents, including salary vouchers, which showed that Pal had been on the clinic's payroll since March.

The authorities also arrested a Malaysian man, who was believed to be the owner of the clinic.