Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr R. Arasu speaks at MMA’s Annual Banquet in Penang on September 13, 2025. Photo from Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s Facebook page.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) calls on the Ministry of Health (MOH) to urgently address the contract Pharmacy Officers’ reserve status issue affecting 730 contract Pharmacy Officers from the July 2024 intake, as highlighted by Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran in the Dewan Negara.
MMA strongly supports the call for the immediate reinstatement of the ‘Reserve Candidate’ status for the 730 affected officers and urges the MOH to expedite the permanent appointment process to ensure these officers do not face expired contracts in 2026.
It is equally important for MOH to provide clear and transparent communication on the concrete steps being taken to resolve this matter, including whether their contracts will be extended while awaiting permanent absorption.
Such clarity is essential to safeguard the morale and well-being of these officers and to uphold the stability of Malaysia’s health care workforce.
MMA reiterates that Malaysia’s health care human resources are among the nation’s most valuable assets. Ensuring fair treatment, transparent processes, and consistency in human resource governance is crucial for retaining experienced professionals and sustaining the quality of public health care services.
Losing these officers due to avoidable administrative failures would significantly impact service delivery and ultimately affect patient care.
We urge MOH to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently to resolve this issue and ensure that all health care professionals feel valued and supported for their dedication and contributions to the public health care system.
This statement was issued by MMA president Dr R. Arasu.
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