Refomasi! Refomasi! Refomasi!

 

These were the cries in every rally by our current Prime Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim all these years till he became the PM nearly a year ago. However, since forming the government between PH and BN, all the cries seem to have fizzled out and sometimes one wonders if we were just taken for a ride as there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the past useless governments with the present one.

 

Just getting permanent placements for doctors who are already in the system is not reformation of the system. That’s merely a man-power issue which any HR person can take care off with the right finances given. Even till now, government hospitals are crying out for lack of doctors but not a word has been spoken about solving the problem of qualified doctors from universities which have been classified as “unrecognised” due to bureaucracy.

 

These doctors from unrecognised universities are expected to toe the line and be still categorised as coming under the Second Schedule of Article 12 which classifies which university is recognised and which isn’t. Where is the refomation to this archaic piece of legislation? This schedule of the Medical Act should be thrown in the dust bin of history to be looked upon as a time of racial discrimination done in the name of law to some of the brightest brains in the country.

Right now there is lots of talk in bringing talent back to the country. All this talk is nonsense  when the country doesn’t even appreciate the talent in it’s midst. Why can’t all doctors who return from overseas be allowed to practice no matter where they are from?

 

After all, the 2 years of housemanship they do is just still treating them as paid students since they still have pre, mid and post tests at each department they have to serve in. They don’t have the autonomy to practice. So why should they still sit for exams if their university is unfortunately not on the Second Schedule [Subparagraph 12(1)(a)(i)] list of recognised universities and then sit for tests in each department during housemanship?

 

Much has been said about how this list was compiled. The moment MARA or JPA sends students abroad, the university will get on the list. Others are deemed not so lucky and are subject to exams at the local universities which are sub-conned by MMC to run the exams when MMC should be running the exams according to the Medical Act.

MMC has clearly said that they don’t have the time and financing to evaluate all universities. They also claim that some universities have too few students for them to consider going. So whose fault is that for not doing the recognition? Some of these universities are much much older than our public universities here.

 

In the past their evaluaters were forced to resign when they were caught being lavishly fated to give glowing reports to some Russian universities. For all of the talk of stamping out corruption by our PM, why is this system which is open to abuse still in place? Why no sound of reforming it?

 

Two major cases show that it’s totally a useless system. Firstly, MMC predated a Russian university’s recognition taking in those who had failed the qualifying exams on all their attempts. So this just shows this exam is irrelevant!. Secondly, foreigners who are classmates of Malaysians who studied abroad in unrecognised universities can come to Malaysia and do a specialism here and return to their country on completion as specialists.

Their own Malaysian classmates can’t even work here! MMC claims that they are given a temporary registration to do that. Aren’t the foreigners also examining and even treating Malaysian patients when doing their specialist course? Isn’t this blatant discrimination towards their own Malaysian classmates?

 

There is a lot more rubbish that MMC does but these are the 2 most blatant examples from the past showing this part of Article 12 of the Medical Act has to be removed and totally replaced with an open system which is accepting of all Malaysians. Let them come and prove themselves during their housemanship years. If they make the grade, then they can be taken in as Medical Officers.

 

Don’t even let me get started on how the exam had been conducted. Different roll numbers, answering in English when the local candidates answer in BM, no marks from course work and negative markings were all implemented for the unrecognised doctors but not the local candidates. Even if things are done appropriately now, why should anyone trust MMC again like the saying “once bitten, twice shy”.

When questioned, MMC said that they will not help and the candidates had no right to question. This was how it was in the past. I doubt anything will change with MMC where 2/3rds of their 30 seats are appointed and not elected. MMC itself should be reformed!

 

Even now candidates are made to repeat all theory and practical papers and must pass both at one go. What rubbish professional exam is this? Any candidate who has sat for the Australian Medical Council Exam can take any number of attempts for the theory paper and they on passing that, continue to take any number of attempts on the practical exam.

 

It costs nearly 8K to do the AMC theory paper and 10K to do the practical part. But our brilliant MMC doesn’t recognise the AMC exam as it’s not on their 2nd schedule list of recognised universities. This exam is on par with the specialist FRACGP (Fellow of the Australian College of General Practitioners) exam but MMC just keeps to the 2nd schedule Article 12 list. Why no refomasi?

Malaysian unrecognised university students in Indonesia were allowed to transfer in their practical years to a recognised Indonesian government university through agents and come back and work. Shouldn’t the 4 years of theory of their other Malaysian classmates who didn’t have the cash to pay for the transfer also be recognised? So is only the final degree important and not the course work?

 

In February, I had already written constructively thinking refomation can take place by using the WHO list of approved universities to accept all Malaysians. Unfortunately, once PH formed the unity governement, they are talking like their BN predecessors and giving excuses that the so called ‘holy’ article 12 of the Medical Act must be upheld at all costs. Is this what we voted PH in for? Is this refomasi?

 

All this started in 1992 when Mahathir was the PM then and brought in this exam system  to curtail basically Indians and Chinese from coming in to serve as doctors. After all, the Bumiputeras get nearly all the government university places here and the Non-bumis have to spend their parent’s money and go overseas to study. Those days there were no private medical universities here. Even with all the hurdles, they complete and return and find road blocks put in place.

In 2002, refomasi was tried by the health minister then who was Datuk Chua Jui Meng who was ordered by the cabinet to take these doctors in. This was done when Mahathir was overseas and Badawi chaired the meeting.

 

However, on returning, Mahathir immediately over ruled it with the MMC meeting him at the golden lounge of the airport as soon as he landed. Being the racist that he is, Mahathir immediately carried out their nefarious plans. Even in the 22 months he was given a 2nd term, he turned a deaf ear to our pleas.

 

If Anwar truly claims that “anak Cina, anak saya; anak India, anak saya; anak Melayu, anak saya; anak Kadazan, anak saya” then what is stopping from these biased laws which only discriminate, from being discard altogether?

It’s been nearly 10 months since the cabinet was formed and not a word is spoken on this matter. Is it because these doctors haven’t organised a strike yet at the PM’s office? Is that what is needed to get attention for this matter from the PM and his Health Minister?

 

There is much more on this matter from my 8 other letters regarding this on this website. Each letter gives different aspects of this matter with different points. For better understanding, do take time to read them also.

 

These doctors who have been discriminated have waited far too long. Some 20 years and more. End this persecution by taking them all in. Only then will people believe it when you shout “Refomasi!” Until it’s done, it’s better to be silent in future rallies.

 

Signed,
Disillusioned Malaysian Doctor

 

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October 12th, 2023 by financetwitter

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