Ex-Sabah women and children’s hospital director sues successor, top official over removal

KOTA KINABALU - Dr Yogendra Panchalingam, the former director of Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah (HWKKS), has initiated legal action against the current director and another senior healthcare official, alleging they were involved in his removal from the directorship under questionable circumstances. Dr Yogendra filed this lawsuit at the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak in Kota Kinabalu on August 21, naming the deputy health department director, Datuk Dr Abd Kahar Abd Asis, and Dr Christine Lu Shin Yeen, his former deputy and now successor, as the defendants.

In addition to the civil suit, Dr Yogendra has filed a separate judicial review against the Ministry of Health, arguing that his removal was unlawful. In his statement of claim, Dr Yogendra maintains that the defendants, acting separately or together, orchestrated his dismissal. This dismissal has had significant repercussions, including damage to his career, professional reputation, and financial status. Dr Yogendra was appointed as the hospital director in March 2025.

Dr Yogendra has categorically denied all allegations of sexual harassment, including those made by Dr Lu and the hospital's corporate communications head, Elleyvianna Murang. He claims that Dr Lu pressured Elleyvianna to file a police report in January, alleging sexual harassment, emotional manipulation, and psychological pressure.

The police, after investigation, deemed the case unworthy of further action. Dr Lu subsequently filed a complaint before the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS) in April, requesting an apology and RM250,000 in compensation. The TAGS proceedings took place on July 23 and 24, but Dr Yogendra was removed from the tribunal proceedings before any findings were made.

He argues that prior to his removal, he was never given a show-cause letter, a disciplinary hearing, or access to the internal investigation report. Dr Yogendra was then transferred to a less significant role as a Grade UD14 medical officer on July 24, before this transfer was formally implemented on July 27, stripping him of his executive responsibilities and his RM250 monthly administrative allowance. This move paved the way for Dr Lu to assume the directorship.

Dr Yogendra is seeking general, aggravated, and exemplary damages from both defendants for the alleged conspiracy. In addition to these, he is claiming special damages for the loss of his administrative allowance, compensation for his disrupted career progression, 5% annual interest on all awarded sums, and legal costs.