Doctors Are 'Licensed To Kill' Says Deputy Health Minister Abdul Latif!

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad became the target of several Opposition MPs on Monday when he let slip that doctors were "licensed to kill".

Abdul Latiff had wanted to use the famous James Bond movie title Licensed to Kill when replying to a question during Question Time. He said doctors were given the "license to heal" as well as the "licence to kill." Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) replied that only Bond has the license to kill but not doctors.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said Dr Abdul Latiff did not intend to hurt anyone when he made the remark. He however ordered him to retract the words upon request by other MPs.

Dr Abdul Latiff defended himself by saying that it was a figure of speech. He however retracted his words but would not apologise. (The Star)

***** The deputy minister must be careful in future to avoid such gaffes. It could be forgiven if a layman made such a statement. However being a medical doctor he should have been more circumspect with his words, especially since he was speaking in Parliament.