Zahid, who chairs a high-level committee to resolve the issue, said he would present the details of the situation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim soon.

He said contract doctors should be accorded fair treatment and their welfare protected according to the government service procedures and schemes.

“We do not have a problem in discussing and solving the issue. I know this is a long-standing problem but I am confident it can be solved,” he told reporters here today.

Zahid said the special committee includes the health ministry, public services department and the Public Services Commission. Discussions had been held on several proposals including granting permanent employment to contract doctors.

“Several conditions of the new scheme will be discussed, so I hope they (contract doctors) will give me the chance in my capacity as chairman of the committee to resolve it,” he said.

A group of contract doctors calling themselves “Mogok Doktor Malaysia” (Malaysian Doctors on Strike) have announced plans for a strike from Monday to Wednesday (April 3-5) against what they described as an unfair contract system and low wages.

Anwar must step in, says PKR man

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has urged Anwar to intervene to keep the contract doctors from going on strike.

The PKR man said Anwar, who is also PKR president, must give the contract doctors some form of assurance that their grievances would be addressed.

Hassan also urged Anwar to advise the health ministry against threatening contract doctors with disciplinary action to deter them from joining the strike.