KUCHING: The proposal for a Good Samaritan Act is timely and should be seriously considered to protect individuals who offer help during emergencies from potential lawsuits.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said such legislation could encourage more people to act without fear of litigation.
“In times of emergency, most people are grateful for help, whether it’s medical or otherwise. But increasingly, in our setting, there is a lot of legal concerns.
“So, the Act is timely because sometimes, someone with good intentions to help people might end up being sued,” he said when met at the UNIFOR Complex today.
Dr Sim said this when asked to comment on Alliance for a Safe Community Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye’s recent call for the government to introduce a Good Samaritan Act to protect people who help others in good faith – particularly in emergencies – from being sued.
When asked further whether the Sarawak would consider such legislation, Dr Sim,who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said discussion with the Ministry of Health would be necessary before it is implemented.
“Such legislation must be implemented uniformly across the country.
“We don’t want a situation where someone is protected in Sarawak, but not in Sabah, Penang or Johor,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Sim was present to officiate at the two-day 2025 Sarawak Neurosurgery Conference, which was attended by over 400 delegates.
