PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for stricter regulation and enforcement of the beauty and aesthetics industry following a recent death linked to a plastic surgery procedure.

MMA president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said the increasing number of incidents involving unlicensed or unregistered beauty centres in recent years suggested a lack of enforcement by the authorities.

“The MMA takes a serious view of these incidents and urges the health ministry to immediately take action to address these concerns,” he said in a statement.

His statement comes after China Press reported on Saturday that a 29-year-old woman had died after allegedly undergoing breast augmentation surgery at a beautician’s home in Skudai, Johor Bahru.

The victim was admitted to the hospital after complaining of pain and swelling in her chest before dying three days later.

Muruga also said there was a need for increased public awareness regarding qualified practitioners who could perform medical aesthetic procedures safely.

“Aesthetic medical procedures should only be performed by qualified registered medical practitioners at premises registered or licensed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998,” he said.

“The names of the medical practitioners would appear on the National Registry of Registered Medical Practitioners Practising Aesthetic Medical Practice on the health ministry’s official website.”

Muruga said it is important to note that doctors with Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) are not qualified to perform plastic surgery.

“Only plastic surgeons can perform plastic surgery,” he said.

“A person can be at risk of serious complications and even death if medical aesthetic procedures are performed incorrectly by unqualified, unregistered practitioners.”