In the NST

Government docs seek review of salary package Tan Choe Choe KUALA LUMPUR, May 07: Government doctors are not seeking a complete revamp of their salary scale but rather, a review of their allowance scheme.They feel that their allowances should be incremental and not be fixed to their salary scale. "While our salaries are incremental, our allowances are not. "If you do not get promoted to another salary level, you will not get any increase in allowance," said Malaysian Medical Association'schairman for Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists Dr Kuljit Singh, today. This salary package, according to Dr Kuljit, is rather outdated because there are more patients today and doctors are doing more overtime to cater to their patients. He added that doctors were also being increasingly recalled on weekends or public holidays. Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the Government was considering a new salary scale for government doctors and specialists. He also said a committee had been established to review the salary package and allowances of doctors, which would also look into their frustrations in public service. However, MMA president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam explained to the New Straits Times today that government doctors' salaries were tied to the salary scale of civil servants and could not be changed without approval from the Cabinet. "I believe what the minister meant was that the Government is considering reviewing the (allowance) benefits, not so much the salary scale," he said. ....................

It appears that the MMA is backpeddling. Why are they not seeking an increase in the salary scale in addition to allowances? It is the salary scale that does no justice to the profession. By the above statement, the MMA is suggesting that they are satisfied with the salary scale. Moreover, how can the president of the MMA correct what the Health Minister was trying to say?

This reflects the chaotic natiure of the MMA. It is a body riddled with politics and internal rife. It remains directionless with lack of leadership qualities. It remains meek when it has to stand firm. Ultimately , they fight not for the welfare of all doctors but a select few.

I am deeply disappointed with this recent turn of events. It only displays confusion in the ranks of the MMA. I believe this occurs because those holding positions in the MMA are no longer with the government service and thus are no longer subjected to hard labour. This reflects in their reluctance to go all the way in their fight to improve the renumeration of doctors.

The MMA is paralyzing itself. I can only sigh in disgust!