KUALA LUMPUR: Local medical professionals have to compete with their foreign counterparts when the services sector under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) is opened up by end of the year. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said at least 70% of the equity will be opened to foreign participation by the period. This would lead to an increase of foreign professionals, particularly from disciplines which were in demand, those not available locally or facing a shortage, he said. “The locals will have a choice of seeking treatment locally instead of having to go overseas. “This is also a boost for medical tourism as foreigners will be attracted by good services and affordable rates in Malaysa,” Liow said in an interview. Liow however said that the foreign professionals must be registered with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Malaysia has 23,738 doctors, 3,165 dentists and 4,571 pharmacists. They include 9,440 doctors, 1,625 dentists and 3,321 pharmacists in the private practice who may be directly affected by the move. Admitting that local professionals were initially quite hesitant in accepting the move, Liow said his ministry, via several briefings with them, managed to convince them that the move was inevitable and that they (local professionals) should be ready and able to compete with their foreign counterparts. “Like many other countries in the world, Malaysia is gearing up to make medical tourism more attractive to foreigners. “There are also a lot of requests from foreigners, many whom are Japanese and Koreans and residing in Malaysia, for treatment by doctors or specialists from their country,” Liow said.
Local docs to face foreign challenge
Crowded Selambau
KEPALA BATAS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took a swipe at the large number of independent contestants vying for the Bukit Selambau seat.
Abdullah said it looked like everyone wanted to become an elected representative these days.
"This may cause the winner to obtain a victory which is not reflective of the support of people in the constituency," he said.
When told that there were ex-opposition leaders who were contesting, Abdullah said this showed something was not right in the opposition.
"They may be facing problems.
"We, on the other hand, don't have any Umno people contesting. This shows our discipline is better."
Asked for his advice to voters, Abdullah smiled and said: "My advice is for them to vote for Barisan Nasional."
The prime minister was speaking after officiating at 28 projects which had been planned and implemented in the Kepala Batas constituency, where Abdullah is the member of parliament.
In Sungai Petani, newly elected Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the independent candidates could take away votes from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat candidate.
Pas Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub was also not happy about the crowded field.
"Something should be done by the Election Commission to stop this kind of contest."
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