Don’t ferment racism in medical sector, doctors’ group warns Adham

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba not to sow racial discord among health professionals by promoting discrimination in favour of Bumiputeras in government appointments.

Describing such a stance as an insult to the profession, MMA president Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said there is no room for bias in the industry, especially in this critical time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement last night, he said the association wants the Health Ministry to be transparent on its evaluation criteria for contract doctors, so as to allay doubts of institutionalised racism.

“MMA unequivocally rejects the notion of racial and religious prejudices being used to influence the selection of contract officers for appointment to permanent service.

“As professionals in the medical sector, we need the best and brightest talent to serve the rakyat. Such talent come from all races, religions, creeds, ethnicities and genders.

All doctors are trained to treat every patient equally, no matter their race, religion, creed, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and as such, we expect the Health Ministry to do so in the treatment of its staff as well.”

On Wednesday, Dr Adham issued a statement acknowledging the Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association and Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia’s call for the government to review the recruitment and posting of new medical graduates in the ministry.

He said the matter was proposed to ensure that medical graduates, especially Bumiputeras, can serve on a permanent basis, and to reduce the unemployment rate among professionals.

“This is discriminatory and an insult to the efforts and contributions of all Malaysian doctors serving the rakyat, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr Subramaniam.

“To prevent suspicion of such discriminatory practices, MMA suggests that the ministry make transparent the evaluation criteria for all contract doctors.

“The government should lead the way in uniting the rakyat, not sow discord among working professionals.

“There is no place for such discriminatory practices in Malaysia, much less in the government and Health Ministry.” – The Vibes, June 27, 2021