KUALA LUMPUR – Mogok Doktor Malaysia (Malaysian Doctors on Strike) has taken down its social media accounts, just two days into a strike it organised to advocate for better treatment of public healthcare personnel.
Checks by The Vibes on two Instagram pages which have been disseminating information on the strike and the group’s demands revealed that the accounts have been deactivated.
A link which previously led to the group’s Telegram channel is also no longer accessible.
It is believed that the group’s decision to terminate its online presence was made recently, as The Vibes was able to message its Instagram page administrator at around 11am today.
Yesterday, hospital staff in several localities told reporters that patient care services did not differ from conditions before the strike, with hospital conditions appearing to be unaffected by the industrial action.
Previously, a spokesman for the strike organisers told The Vibes that at least 10,000 to 12,000 contract doctors were expected to take part in the strike, which kicked off yesterday and is expected to last until tomorrow.
Some of the group’s demands include for the government to award all contract medical officers with permanent positions and improved compensation schemes.
The group, whose founder remains anonymous, had previously refused to respond to Malaysiakini’s requests for comment as it claimed that the news portal is owned by “DAP or Pakatan Harapan-linked political parties.”
Perikatan Nasional health committee member Dr Aiman Alias had subsequently denied the coalition’s involvement in the strike, stating instead that the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led outfit only supports the movement.
In 2021, another group called Hartal Doktor Kontrak staged a nationwide walkout.
Hartal Doktor Kontrak has publicly stated that it has nothing to do with the current strike. – The Vibes, April 4, 2023
