Dr Sim: Sarawak needs more representation in Malaysia Medical Council

Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian (file photo)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 4: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has emphasised the need for greater representation of Sarawak in the Malaysia Medical Council (MMC).

In a Facebook post on June 3, Dr Sim congratulated Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira on his appointment as an MMC member representing Sarawak.

Dr. Sim who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak, pointed out that despite the MMC having 33 members, there is only one representative each from Sarawak and Sabah.

According to him, the limited representation has resulted in Sarawak lacking cardiothoracic surgeons, with a patient waiting list of up to two years.

He noted that this situation has severely damaged the international and local reputation of the medical specialist profession and caused serious disruptions in training the necessary number of specialists for Sarawak.

“It is extremely sad that the MMC in 2024 is a very different MMC from when I was an elected member from Sarawak in 2006-2008,” he said.

Dr Sim added that he has conveyed matter regarding Sarawak’s position in the parallel pathways during meetings with Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad this year, both verbally during their meetings this year and in writing.

He also said that the issues were also addressed during the presentations on Sarawak’s health autonomy under Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA64) for Sarawak Medical Council (SMC) or and Independent Branch of MMC Sarawak.

“With SMC or Independent Branch of MMC Sarawak, Sarawak will not be at the mercy of MMC but will ensure Sarawak’s aspiration to catch up with the medical services in West Malaysia and beyond.,” he added.

Of the two Registered Practitioners, Dr Khaira was elected at the end of the counting session on June 29, and will commence his tenure on July 1. — DayakDaily