PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Allegations of Unsafe Practices at QEH — Warisan Calls for Immediate
Independent Probe
KOTA KINABALU, 17 April 2026: Warisan has called for independent probe into the deeply troubling allegations raised in
a recent whistleblowing article published by online health news portal CodeBlue concerning the alleged unethical
operations of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Describing the damning revelations as “grave and deeply alarming,” Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong and Supreme
Council member Chen Ket Chuin said the allegations — which include claims of patients being prematurely transferred
out of the Emergency Department to meet KPI targets, staff intimidation, and the staging of hospital conditions during
official visits — strike at the very core of patient safety and public trust.
“Healthcare is not optional — it is a life-and-death necessity. What has been alleged is not a minor administrative lapse,
but a potential systemic failure where performance indicators are being prioritised over human lives,” said Wong.
Warnings Raised Earlier — Now Escalated by Whistleblower Claims
In a joint statement, Wong and Chen stressed that these allegations did not emerge in isolation, recalling that just last
month, they had already raised urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of QEH.
“On March 26, we publicly warned that Queen Elizabeth Hospital was in a ‘critical condition’ due to ageing infrastructure
and insufficient resources. What has now surfaced through this whistleblowing report suggests that the crisis may run
even deeper — extending beyond infrastructure into governance and patient safety.
“This is no longer about strain on the system. It is about whether the system itself is being managed in a way that
compromises lives," they said.
Minister Must Address Allegations Directly
The Warisan leaders urged Sabah Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing (KWKKR) Minister Datuk Julita Majungki to
respond clearly and transparently to the allegations, instead of allowing uncertainty to erode public confidence.
“The people of Sabah deserve clear answers. Was there any directive — formal or otherwise — that pressured hospital
staff to meet KPI targets at the expense of patient safety? Are these practices sanctioned, tolerated, or ignored?” Chen
questioned.
“If there is nothing to hide, then there should be no hesitation in addressing these concerns openly," he said.
Independent Investigation Now Imperative
Both leaders emphasised that the seriousness of the claims now makes an independent investigation unavoidable.
“This cannot be left to internal reviews that risk being compromised. There must be an independent, transparent, and
time-bound investigation to establish the truth and restore confidence,” Wong said.
He further confirmed that he will raise this pressing matter in the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting, calling for
accountability and systemic reform.
“As Warisan’s Luyang Assemblyman, I will bring this issue to the State Assembly. Sabahans have a right to know the
truth, and more importantly, to feel safe when they walk into a public hospital,” he said.
Oversight Failure: Board of Visitors Must Answer
Wong and Chen also placed the Board of Visitors of QEH under scrutiny, questioning its apparent failure to detect or act
on such serious issues.
“The Board of Visitors exists to safeguard patients’ welfare and monitor hospital conditions. If such grave allegations have
been allowed to persist, then serious questions must be asked — where was the Board?”
“Was it unaware, ineffective, or simply not functioning as intended? Any of these possibilities is unacceptable," Wong
said.
Chen added that oversight bodies must not become symbolic institutions detached from reality.
“Public trust depends on real oversight, not ceremonial roles. If the Board has failed in its duty, then accountability must
follow," he stressed.
Protect Frontliners, Restore Integrity
They further stressed that healthcare workers must be protected, not silenced, and called for safe channels for frontline
staff to speak without fear.
“Our doctors and nurses are not the problem — they are the last line of defence. If they are raising the alarm, it is our duty
to listen and act,” Wong said.
A Test of Leadership
Wong concluded that the issue ultimately reflects the need for decisive leadership.
“The current situation demands non-negotiable political will to rectify a system that is clearly failing the people.
Incremental fixes are no longer enough. This is a question of urgency, responsibility, and leadership," he underscored.
CHEN KET CHUIN @ KC
Warisan Supreme Council
17 April 2026
