Dr Ang Peng Tiam, a prominent cancer doctor in private practice, has been fined $25,000 by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) following a complaint by a patient in 2010.

Dr Ang's company, TalkMed Group, issued a release on Sunday to say that Dr Ang has "been strongly advised to appeal against the decision" and that he has decided to do so.

TalkMed is publicly listed, and the release by Mr Lee Boon Yong, its chief financial officer, is in compliance with rules of the Singapore Exchange.

A spokesman for TalkMed told The Straits Times: "We have not yet communicated with the SMC as the formal and full grounds of appeal are still being prepared."

In 2010, a family member of a patient who had been treated by Dr Ang filed four charges against the oncologist with the SMC, the professional watchdog.

When asked what the charges were, the company spokesman said: "We are unable to release the information requested as the matter is currently under appeal."

It was one of 152 complaints against doctors that the SMC received that year.

All the complaints are seen by the Complaints Committee. If there is merit, the case is heard by a disciplinary tribunal.

The tribunal heard the complaint against Dr Ang, who is also the medical director at the Parkway Cancer Centre. It cleared Dr Ang of two charges, but found him guilty of the other two and imposed a $25,000 fine on him.

Doctors found guilty by the SMC are told of the findings and are usually given a month to decide if they would like to file an appeal.

Such appeals are heard by the High Court.

If there is no appeal, the decision of the tribunal, and the reasons for the decision, would be made public after a month.

TalkMed's release added: "We have full confidence in Dr Ang and the day-to-day operations of the company are not affected." facebook.com/ST.Salma

Correction note: The story has been edited for clarity.