PETALING JAYA: An undisclosed number of doctors began the new year in legal limbo after being left without valid practising certificates, leaving them temporarily unlicensed to practise medicine.
This predicament stems from processing delays by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) in issuing the Annual Practicing Certificates (APC) for 2026.
One doctor said his application has been under review since Nov 20 last year.
“Thousands of doctors have not received their 2026 APC, including me,” he said.
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According to the MMC’s annual report, 74,333 APCs were issued in 2024.
In a notice on its website, the MMC said there was an extremely high volume of applicants.
“All medical practitioners are requested to be patient while waiting for the approval process for their respective APC certificates.
“Please be informed that any medical practitioner who has successfully made the APC application payment for the year 2025 before Dec 1 last year (2025) will not be fined,” it said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the doctor said although he has to return to work, he is now exposed to medicolegal risk for practising without a valid certificate.
“It usually takes one to two weeks to process. I have no idea what is going on,” he said.
“Those who submit late typically experience longer processing times, but not to this extent,” he added.
“If any medicolegal issues arise, then it will be dangerous. Plus, if based on the Act, one can be guilty of an offence (if they practise without an APC),” he said.
Under Section 20(7) of the Medical Act, it is an offence for a fully registered medical practitioner to practise medicine, surgery or obstetrics and gynaecology without an APC.
Those found guilty shall not be entitled to recover any fee, reward, disbursement or cost incurred during the time they did not have a valid APC.
Another doctor who has also been waiting since November said he was afraid to treat his patients without an APC.
“Legally, I do not have the licence to practise, but I have to return to work. At this point, I am not a licensed doctor. And that is an offence under the law.
“I am extremely scared to treat my patients,” he said.
Another doctor, who only wanted to be identified as Dr Kay, said she too was concerned over not being able to practise this year if her APC is not issued soon.
“Basically, I would be nothing less than an illegal doctor. That thought scares me.
“I am not confident in treating my patients, as I do not have my licence, which acts as a shield for me as a practitioner,” she said.
“I hope the MMC will fix this issue as soon as possible. Otherwise, we cannot work, and the patients will suffer, as it will delay medical care,” she added.
A private general practitioner said he has had to refrain from seeing patients for the time being.
“My other colleague has to attend to patients while I wait to sort out my APC. We are a two-man show at this clinic. But now we are incapacitated due to this. Because we are small-timers, I cannot afford any legal repercussions,” he said.
A doctor who managed to get his APC on Dec 31, despite submitting his application on Nov 29, said that there were others who had applied before him but were still awaiting their certificates.
The MMC website stated the last day to apply for the 2026 APC was Nov 30 last year.
Doctors are required to register with the MMC to practise medicine in Malaysia, while the Medical Act also mandates them to apply for an APC, which is valid for 12 months.
