Malaysian boy awarded more than $100k over botched circumcision

A boy has been awarded about RM360,000 ($113,000) after a Malaysian court found that he suffered serious injuries and permanent scarring due to medical negligence during a circumcision procedure at a private clinic.

The Terengganu Sessions Court awarded the boy RM300,000 in general damages and about RM60,000 in special and future damages.

The boy, whose age was not disclosed, underwent the procedure at a clinic in Terengganu in March 2023, reported the New Straits Times (NST) on Tuesday (Sept 1).

After considering testimony from three experts, the judge found that the clinic was medically negligent, and said the boy's injuries were not "normal" complications of a properly performed circumcision.

While the boy has healed from his surgery, the court took into account that he would carry the skin-graft scar into adulthood.

Clinic files defamation suit first

The medical negligence claim reportedly arose as a counterclaim after the firm Hijraa Healthcare — which operates the clinic that performed the circumcision — sued the boy's mother and another woman. 

The healthcare operator had accused the pair of defamation over Facebook posts which criticised the clinic.

The court dismissed the defamation suit after finding that the two women had successfully relied on the defences of justification and fair comment, NST reported.

The firm was ultimately ordered to pay RM15,000 in costs to each of the two women, while the counterclaim was allowed with costs of RM15,000. 

The company is appealing the court's decisions.

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helmy.saat@asiaone.com