23 docs must pass BM
> Those who fail need to resit exam until they pass, says Subra
PUTRAJAYA: Twenty-three doctors who do not have a pass in the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) paper of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination must sit for the paper until they pass.
“If they fail, they have to keep sitting for the exam (BM paper),” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said after opening the Obstetrics and Neonatology block of Putrajaya Hospital yesterday.
The SPM exam will be held in November.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday, decided to revoke the waiver on a pass with a credit in BM paper at SPM level for hiring of medical officers (doctors) on Grade UD41 on contract basis.
Ahmad Zahid, when announcing the decision, said only 23 doctors, including children of Malaysian diplomats who received medical education overseas, had been allowed the waiver.
The Cabinet meeting also decided that the Medical Act 1971 would be amended to make it mandatory for medical officers to serve two years after their housemanship and insert a clause on the BM pass requirement.
Pending amendments to the Medical Act 1971 by Parliament, the Public Service Department, as an employment agency, would implement the BM pass requirement in the recruitment of Grade UD41 medical officers on contract basis.
Subramaniam added the issue was expected to be resolved within one year and by then, all the appointed medical officers were expected to fulfil the requirement of passing BM at SPM level, reported Bernama.
“This is because the Cabinet’s decision yesterday is clear. Those who do not pass the BM paper at SPM level must take the necessary action,” he said, adding that the group is too small compared to the number of graduate doctors each year.