New bill resurrects genies and demons

The parliamentary debate into the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Bill in the Dewan Rakyat took a turn into the realm of the supernatural today, as conversation steered towards traditional cures and diseases caused by demons and genies.

“Maybe it is time that we give specific accreditation to specific practitioners that treat diseases linked to genies and demons.

“This is because not only patients have testified (to such incidents), but it is also being given due notice by the mass media,” said parliamentarian Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) (right).

He described how the mass media had showcased various instances of such spiritual ailments for which modern medicine had no inkling, describing treatments of conditions like ‘santau’ or curses.

He mooted the initials for traditional medicine practitioners like MD for doctors, with PW for Pawang or BO for Bomoh.

Idris’ stand was supported by Ahmad Kassim (PKR-Kuala Kedah) who interjected, adding that special degrees can be created to not only recognise but also to standardise and regulate the field of traditional medicine.

This, chimed in Azmi Khalid (BN-Padang Besar), is because many traditional medicines work better, faster and with less fuss then modern medicines, not only for spiritual diseases involving the supernatural but for more common health problems like shingles and gall bladder ailments.

“Maybe it can be a value added service to normal medicine,” he suggested.

Adding his argument to the debate, BN’s Putatan MP Marcus Mojigoh said that this needs to be done, not only for different types of alternative medicines whether traditional cures to common problems or supernatural diseases involving genies and demons, but based on geographical and racial orientation as well.

This, he said is to ensure that practitioners of traditional medicine of “each race and each locality, both semanjung and Sabah-Sarawak, will be collated and recognised”, as each district and race had their own unique practices.

Recognition of medical leave

Though Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) brought up the issue of recognition of medical leave issued by witch doctors and the possibility of claiming for such alternative medicine expenses from their employers or insurance.

She warned that this will be an issue if the government decides to formally recognise traditional medicine.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) (right) warned that incidences of abuse by traditional medicine practitioners is also rampant, adding that perhaps it is time that a separate branch of the medical council be formed to oversee traditional medicine instead of incorporating it into the current medical governing body.

“This is a serious matter which we must look into,” argued Ibrahim.

The bill sought to allow for the recognition of traditional medicine to regulate practitioners.

Despite a public health system that is better off when compared to some countries in the world, Malaysians have consistently relied on traditional and alternative medicine to take care of their health, something which the bill perhaps hopes to regulate.