MMC defends election process

Uncooperative doctors caused certain problems but a new voting system may be introduced, say Malaysian Medical Council boss.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) president Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today refuted claims of irregularities in the council’s elections held between June and July, saying that the election was conducted according to the rules and regulation set by the Health Ministry.

When asked to comment on reports claiming that a number of doctors did not receive their ballot papers, Noor Hisham told FMT that the problem might have been due to some doctors who had failed to inform the council of their latest address.

“As far as the rules and regulation are concern, we are following the guidelines.

“Some doctors were transferred to other hospitals but they did not inform us about their latest address. That is when the problem occurs,” he said after an event organised by the Health Ministry at Berjaya Times Square today.

FMT had reported that the MMC council election did not meet the Health Ministry’s regulations as a number of doctors did not receive the ballot papers.

A check with 25 doctors all over the nation shockingly revealed and confirmed that they never received their ballot papers. Some who have been in practice for more than 10 years said they have never ever received them even once.

Noor Hisham however admitted that there were flaws in the present system, and added that the council might consider an alternative mechanism to avoid any unwanted errors.

He stated that the MMC would look into using an electronic voting system for doctors to vote in the future.

However he said that if the electornic system was to be introduced, there will be some amendments to the current rules and regulation.

“There are some weaknesses in locating the doctors due to the reasons I mentioned previously. We will look at the electronic voting system but few amendments will be made if the new system is to be used,” he added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said that his ministry will also look to improve the process of voting involving medical practitioners.

Subramaniam added that many doctors who have been transferred or shifted to different departments or hospitals did not even bother to respond to the council’s request for addresses to be updated.

“This is an old process. Many doctors…they don’t bother to inform the council. Only 4,000 responded,” he said.

“We will improve the system in order to ensure greater number of practitioners in the next future,” he added.