THE Ministry of Health (MOH) will implement a fast-track recruitment process to fill 4,352 critical positions in the healthcare sector, bypassing conventional procedures in order to meet urgent workforce demands.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the matter was raised during a Cabinet meeting yesterday, where he personally emphasised the need to expedite the hiring process.
“I have made it clear to the Health Ministry’s Secretary-General and Director-General that this fast-track method must take precedence over conventional procedures,” he told Bernama following the opening of the Annual Scientific Meeting & 55th Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Society of Radiographers (MSR) today.
Meanwhile, addressing the registration of allied health practitioners under the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774), Dr Dzulkefly urged all practitioners to register officially and obtain their Annual Practising Certificate (APC) before 31 December 2026.
“This step is crucial in establishing a recognised and regulated allied health ecosystem that is grounded in quality practice,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, MOH’s Director of the Allied Health Sciences Division, L. Mageswary, warned that failure to register or to practise without a valid APC may result in legal consequences.
“Any individual employing unregistered personnel to perform duties as an allied health professional under this Act is committing an offence,” she said.
“If convicted, they may face a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or up to two years' imprisonment, or both. For continuing offences, an additional fine of RM1,000 per day may be imposed.”
She added that for corporate entities, partnerships, or other organisations, the penalties are more severe – with fines up to RM100,000 and additional daily penalties of RM5,000 for continued violations. - July 26, 2025