KUALA LUMPUR: Contract doctors who took part in yesterday’s strike will not face disciplinary action, says the health ministry.
Its minister Dr Adham Baba gave a reassurance on this at the Dewan Rakyat today, saying those who took part in the hartal had the right to gather and express their views.
“No action will be taken against them, even though they held a demonstration yesterday. They have the right to do so,” he said.
Adham was responding to a question from former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) on whether the health ministry would take action against junior doctors involved in the hartal.
Following calls from several MPs to extend doctor’s contracts beyond four years, Adham said the government would present “interim, moderate and long-term programmes”.
He said firstly, contract doctors would now be required to complete four years of mandatory service.
“Meanwhile, we will fulfill our responsibilities in Parliament by amending the Pension Act 1980 and Medical Act 1971, in order to help these doctors,” he said.
“I myself am a doctor. My children are also doctors. There is no conflict of interest.”
Contract healthcare workers staged a nationwide walkout yesterday as part of the Hartal Doktor Kontrak strike, which calls for job security and opportunities to further their medical careers, among others.
Several contract doctors were then informed that they would be summoned by police to have their statements recorded.
Dang Wangi police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah also said an investigation would be opened on the strike as no one was allowed to be involved in any gatherings during the movement control order (MCO).
There were also news reports that junior doctors working at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang would be issued showcause letters by the hospital’s director.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.