MOGOK Doktor Malaysia, the movement that threatened a nationwide three-day strike at public hospitals, has appeared to have deactivated its Instagram account on the second day of the protest.

The account, which prior to deactivation had more than 15,000 followers, is known to be the only social media account used by the group to share information on the plight of contract doctors and the strike.

It was reported that some 3,000 contract doctors took part in the strike, compared with its initial target of 8,000. However, no further details were disclosed.  

The group also claimed that about 3,000 contract doctors would tender their resignation in the coming days, but there was no update on this.

The group was also selective on sharing information on the strike with certain media.

However, the move comes on the same day Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government would need at least three years to resolve the contract doctors’ grouses.

Last week, the group urged fellow contract staff to show solidarity by either taking emergency or medical leave from Monday to Wednesday over grievances about the system and low wages.  

It warned the public to expect longer waiting time at public health clinics and hospitals on these days.  

The group demands absorption of all contract medical officers into permanent positions without any conditions or interviews; basic salary increment; higher on-call rates; a resolution to the shortage of specialists, medical officers and house officers; and an automatic reduction in the compulsory service term for medical officers to three years.

However, several contract doctors, when contacted, distanced themselves from the strike.

Among the reasons, they claimed to be less impressed with Mogok Doktor Malaysia’s poor planning and communication.

They also said the strike was not as organised as the Hartal Doktor Kontrak dispute two years ago.

Hartal Doktor Kontrak, which held a nationwide strike on July 26, 2021, has distanced itself from this current strike, despite dissatisfaction with the government over the on-call allowance provided to doctors. – April 4, 2023.