'Dr' title no trivial matter: MMC must uphold professional standards

MCA Youth holds serious concern over the Malaysian Medical Council’s (MMC) statement asserting that medical graduates may use the title “Doctor (Dr)” as an academic designation even if they are not qualified to practise medicine. We stress that such a position risks confusing the public and could undermine the credibility that our medical profession has built over many years.

The title “Doctor” has never been a mere honorific. It is a symbol of professional identity grounded in rigorous accreditation, training, and standards of practice. If, without clear limits and controls, unrecognised medical graduates are allowed to freely use the title “Doctor,” does this not imply that anyone could arbitrarily assume the title “Dr” in future? This would inevitably create confusion for the public in distinguishing genuinely qualified doctors.