Doctors allowed to practise amid annual cert delays, MMC apologises
The MMC, in a statement, apologised for the delay in processing and issuing this year’s APC, acknowledging that “tens of thousands” of registered medical practitioners are left in an ethical-legal limbo.
The council also said the delay follows a sudden...
All Malaysian doctors whose Annual Practising Certificate (APC) for this year is still being processed by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) will be allowed to practise without action being taken against them.
The MMC, in a statement, apologised for the delay in processing and issuing this year’s APC, acknowledging that “tens of thousands” of registered medical practitioners are left in an ethical-legal limbo.
The council also said the delay follows a sudden increase in applications received at the end of 2025, particularly those involving applications submitted with supporting documents that were received late.
“The MMC, through a circular dated Jan 3, has agreed that any medical practitioner who has applied, made payment, and complied with the requirements under Section 20 of the Medical Act 1971 and Regulation 28 of the Medical Regulations 2017 before or on Dec 31, 2025, but has yet to receive the 2026 APC as the application is still being processed in the Merits system, is allowed to practise without action being taken until the APC certificate is issued,” said the MMC.
“(This is) provided that the medical practitioner is not subject to any restriction, suspension, or prohibition from practice under any other provision of the Medical Act 1971,” it added.
The MMC also said the effective date of the APC shall commence on Jan 1, or on the date of professional indemnity coverage, rather than on the date of approval or the date the certificate is issued.
Yesterday, health portal CodeBlue reported that the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has urged the MMC to grant amnesty to doctors affected by the delays.
APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said the association shared concerns over the delays, which he said carried legal implications for affected practitioners.
“For doctors who submitted their APC applications in accordance with the stipulated deadline of Nov 30, 2025, the APC issuance delays are beyond their control,” Kuljit was quoted as saying.
He added that APHM had formally written to the MMC - headed by its president, Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab, who is also the health director-general - to seek temporary relief for affected doctors.
However, according to CodeBlue, an amnesty by the MMC may not fully protect doctors or hospitals from patient malpractice lawsuits, nor guarantee the validity of medical indemnity coverage during that period.
