KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) has accused the health minister of failing to defend doctors against policy overreach by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL).
FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson criticised Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad for keeping silent when the deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living cited NACCOL’s “mandate” in Parliament to justify new rules for private clinics.
“These were policy suggestions, not legally binding directives, but the way they were presented has caused widespread confusion,” Dr Shanmuganathan said in a statement.
He said the minister’s failure to speak up during NACCOL meetings showed either “complicity or absence” in protecting the medical profession.
“The full responsibility — and the failure — lies with the minister of health himself,” he said.
FPMPAM also criticised the government for pushing mandatory drug price displays and prescriptions without proper legal authority or consultation.
Dr Shanmuganathan said clinical decisions such as issuing prescriptions or itemised billing fall under the Ministry of Health and Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), not NACCOL.
He argued that forced itemised billing could increase healthcare costs for patients.
“We are not NACCOL’s subjects. We are the custodians of patient care,” he said.
The association then demanded that the minister publicly state his position and take steps to restore trust among private medical professionals.
