‘Make selection process for permanent posts transparent’

KUALA LUMPUR: It is not just contract pharmacists who want more transparency on selection for permanent posts but also doctors and dentists.

The Malaysian Medics International – a loose movement made up of about 4,000 Malaysian doctors and medical students worldwide – said that when the government started offering jobs for medical, dental, and pharmacy graduates on a contract basis, there were fears that resentment will arise if the absorption of contract officers into permanent employment was not conducted properly.

The open letter from contract pharmacists seemed to confirm its fears, adding that contract medical housemen were also facing similar issues, it said.

“They are weeks away from completing their housemanship and yet there has been no official confirmation from the ministry on the position of contract medical officers,” it said in a statement on Monday, urging the ministry to address the concerns.

“Anxiety is running high among the said contract medical officers, especially those working in the Klang Valley who are expected to be posted outstation,” it said, adding that many logistical issues needed to be sorted out if the officers were relocated.

It also urged the ministry to disclose the criteria involved in the selection so that officers were clear and able to work towards achieving such competency.

A houseman who declined to be named said the first batch of contract housemen will complete their contract in two weeks’ time (Dec 19); but there were still no letters informing whether they get permanent posts or not.

However, he said those who failed the selection will get another two years of compulsory post before they were released.

“Some housemen in the hospital (where I work) have been verbally informed that they will be retained,” he said, adding that there were also news that the ministry was in the midst of sorting out the issue.