00:00A DAP MP has taken the health ministry to task over the chaos and uncertainty surrounding
00:07the e-placement system which contract doctors use to apply for permanent positions.
00:13Kota Melaka MP Khoo Pwee Thiong said he was deeply disappointed with the ministry after
00:182,000 doctors arranged for time off from work on February 27 to log into the e-placement
00:24system to select their postings at hospitals across the country.
00:28Khoo said that once selections were made, many doctors proceeded to secure accommodation,
00:33arrange transportation, and make other preparations based on their assigned placements, all of
00:38which involved significant financial costs.
00:41He said that on March 4, the health ministry announced that all placements were invalidated
00:46because of a glitch in the e-placement system, with the doctors then informed that they would
00:50have to reapply for placements today.
00:53However, another announcement was made later on Saturday night to postpone the registration
00:58of placements again.
01:00Khoo criticized the ministry for repeating past mistakes and mishandling a crucial process
01:05harming junior doctors.
01:08He also said the abrupt changes added stress to overburdened doctors, which shows a disregard
01:12for their dedication.
01:14Today, the health ministry said the placement exercise has been put on hold due to technical
01:19difficulties.
01:21The ministry said the system will be replaced with a more transparent, fair, and merit-based
01:26system, which is expected to reopen applications in six to eight weeks after the new system
01:31has been finalized.
01:34Dhanushwaja Riza, FMT.
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