Muslim nurse 'self-terminated' because of disciplinary problems

It was disciplinary problems that caused a nurse from a private hospital to be 'self-terminated' and not her long-sleeved uniform.

The clarification of what happened to 24-year-old Naziah Sauni Samat was confirmed by Damai Service Hospital’s (Melawati) finance and administration manager Regina Sundram.

According to the guidelines set by the hospital since 1989, all Muslim nurses will have to wear long pants, short sleeved shirt and an 'anak tudung' as their uniform.

“We have never given her permission to wear long-sleeved uniform like she claimed.

“However, Naziah was stubborn and still went on to wear long-sleeved uniform, breaching the dress code. We then sent her a letter dated Nov 23, to inform that we have put her job ‘on hold’ for 48 hours until she complies with the dress code. Should she fail to do so within 48 hours, she will be considered as ‘self-terminated’.

“Despite that, Naziah only returned to work on Nov 30 without providing any reason for her not turning up to work after the 48 hours is over. We however allowed her to continue working as she has cut her uniform sleeves and was wearing skin stocking. We had asked her to remove the stocking but she refused.

“Following the incident, she did not turn up to work on Dec 1,2 and 3. I received a Whatsapp message on Dec 3 asking me until when is her job is ‘on hold’. That didn’t make any sense as she turned up to work on Nov 30 and later decided not to come. So, I told her she had been ‘self-terminated’ as stated in the letter,” said Regina when contacted by Astro AWANI.

Regina said other Muslim nurses had no problem complying to the dress code set by the hospital.

“She has turned this issue into a racial issue when it is just a disciplinary problem,” she said.

Naziah also brought The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) to discuss the issue with Regina.

A hospital representative has lodged a report regarding the matter.

Naziah, who also lodged a police report, during a press conference yesterday, said the incident had caused her emotional stress.

Due to the stress, she had decided not to attend work for a couple of days. A few days later she was informed that she had been 'self-terminated' even though she cut her uniform sleeves and wore skin stocking with it.

PPIM chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan who was also at the press conference, had urged The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), the Health Ministry, or the Human Resources ministry to take action on the matter.