DR MAURINE TSAKOK (Termination of employment)

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for Health if he will give the reasons for terminating the employment of Dr Maurine Tsakok, former head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Singapore General Hospital.

Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Health why the services of Dr Maurine Tsakok were terminated by the Singapore General Hospital.

The Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Sir, may I take Questions 16 and 17 together as they are related?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, SGH received a complaint of misconduct against a senior member of Dr Maurine Tsakok's staff in November 1996. SGH referred the complaint to the CPIB to investigate. Arising from the CPIB investigations, it was revealed that in the period from January 1996 to early 1997, in her capacity as Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr Tsakok had extended her services and deployed staff and resources from SGH to assist a private laboratory in Manila without disclosing the material fact that her husband was a shareholder in that company. The staff member complained against and the spouse were also shareholders of the same company.

The Hospital was of the view that such information on shareholding in the private laboratory should have been disclosed by Dr Tsakok in her capacity as Head of Department to avoid any potential conflict of interest. It therefore terminated the employment of Dr Maurine Tsakok on 12th June 1997 in accordance with the terms of her employment contract.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Sir, the Minister says the matter was referred to the CPIB. Was it considered that it came within the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act? And, if so, what was the reply of the CPIB to that?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the complaint was against a senior member of Dr Tsakok's staff. The CPIB investigated and, arising from the investigations, the facts about the shareholdings came out. The investigations by the CPIB were on the complaint on the staff of Dr Maurine Tsakok, and not on Dr Maurine Tsakok herself.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister whether Dr Maurine Tsakok was on the permanent staff or was she on contract?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, she was an employee of SGH with an employment contract.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Was her termination referred to the Public Service Commission?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, SGH is a private entity. It is not part of the Civil Service. In fact, all the administrative decisions are taken by the management and the board of directors of SGH.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask what is the protection given to employees of SGH against any unfair termination?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, like in any other private company, if they are aggrieved by the decision of the company, they can take legal action against the company.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister whether there was an inquiry into this alleged misconduct?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the administration of SGH does not come under my Ministry. If Dr Maurine Tsakok is aggrieved with the decision of the Hospital, I am sure she knows what to do.