THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has slammed a proposal for Putrajaya to give priority to Bumiputera medical graduates to be placed in permanent postings with the Health Ministry.

In a statement, MMA president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said racial or religious prejudices should not influence the selection of medical officers or whether they would serve in permanent appointments.

Subramaniam said the country needed the best and brightest individuals to serve the people.

He noted that talent did not distinguish between ethnicity, religion, creed, or gender.

Subramaniam said the recent suggestion was discriminatory and an insult to the efforts and contributions of all Malaysian doctors serving its people, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

“The government should lead the way in uniting the rakyat, not sow discord among its working professionals. There is no place for such discriminatory practice in Malaysia, much less in the government and health ministry,” he said in the statement.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba had made the proposal on new graduates on Wednesday after a suggestion from Persatuan Perubatan Kesihatan Awam Malaysia and the Malaysian Islamic Doctors Association. – June 26, 2021.