KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan has dismissed claims of an 18-month specialist gazettement period and pay cuts for doctors, calling the allegations “completely untrue.”
In a statement issued today, the Health DG clarified that there is “no new policy” related to the gazettement period or salary reductions for specialists.
“The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to inform the public that at this time, no new policy has been set or guidelines amended under the Medical Act 1971 concerning the ‘specialist gazettement period’ as reported,” he stated.
Dr Radzi also pointed out that the Medical Act (Amendment) 2024 [Act A1729], which includes changes to the Medical Act 1971 [Act 50], has yet to be enforced. The MOH rejected claims that specialists would now face an 18-month gazettement period, instead of the previously standard six months, and that medical officers would be paid less than half of their entitled salary during this period.
He added that a review of the specialist incentive allowance (BIP) is nearing its conclusion, with the final phase focused on aligning the allowance with legal provisions. Any changes to the allowance will only apply to those completing specialist training after the enactment of the new law.
“Any changes to the incentive allowance will only apply to practitioners who complete their specialist training after the enforcement of Act A1729,” he explained.
Dr Radzi’s statement comes in response to a report by Utusan Malaysia last week, which quoted a specialist from a Klang Valley hospital who criticised the purported policy changes as unfair and exploitative.
A similar op-ed in CodeBlue raised similar concerns over claims that specialists would be paid at junior doctor rates during their extended gazettement period, with backdated salary claims reportedly abolished.
