Private medical practitioners raises concern over APC issuance delays

KUCHING (Jan 3): The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) has expressed concern over delays in the issuance of Annual Practising Certificates (APCs) for 2026, despite many medical practitioners having fully complied with all statutory requirements under the Medical Act 1971.

Its president Dr Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganeson said that under Section 20 of the Act, a registered medical practitioner is required to apply for an APC within the prescribed period and fulfil stipulated conditions, including continuing professional development requirements and payment of the prescribed fee.

“Where these requirements have been met in full and within the stipulated timeframe, the Act places a corresponding obligation on the Registrar to process and issue the APC,” he said in a statement.

Dr Shanmuganathan noted that it is a well-established principle of administrative law that when a statutory duty is imposed on an authority, it must be exercised reasonably, fairly and within a reasonable time.

He pointed out that delays in administrative processing, particularly when no fault lies with the applicant, should not result in prejudicial consequences to affected practitioners.

“The present situation is concerning as the failure to issue APCs in a timely manner may inadvertently expose compliant practitioners to the risk of being deemed to be practising without a valid APC — an outcome neither intended by the statute nor justifiable in law when the practitioner has fulfilled all statutory obligations,” he said.

While acknowledging that administrative or systemic challenges may arise from time to time, including system upgrades or transitional issues, Dr Shanmuganathan said such challenges cannot lawfully override the rights of registered practitioners who have complied with the Medical Act and the requirements set by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

He therefore urged the MMC to provide urgent clarification and assurance that practitioners who have duly applied and paid for their APCs within the prescribed timeframe will not be deemed non-compliant, and that interim administrative measures will be adopted to ensure continuity of lawful medical practice pending the issuance of APCs.

“FPMPAM stands ready to engage constructively with the MMC to resolve this matter promptly, in the interest of legal certainty, professional fairness and the uninterrupted delivery of patient care,” he said.