The new MMA president, Dr Koh Kar Chai, said healthcare reforms would be a priority for him in his tenure as head of the association for 2021-2022.

Koh, who takes over from outgoing president Dr Subramaniam Muniandy, said: “The process will take quite a few years, to say the least, but I believe that MMA, being the responsible medical association it is, should take the bull by its horns.”

He emphasised the need to continue to deal with the government on various issues.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who opened MMA’s annual meeting, reiterated his pledge to resolve issues championed by the group, including permanent positions for contract medical officers.

Khairy also said the health ministry was already looking into calls for private clinics to be involved in the final phase of the Covid-19 immunisation programme and for the administration of booster doses.

With over 8,000 general practitioner clinics “well-distributed” across the country, he said they were a strength of Malaysia’s healthcare system.

“I’ve also been informed that various issues like general practitioners’ consultation fees and regulating the third party administrators have been long-standing unresolved issues that require urgent attention. I take note of this and will discuss a way forward with my officers,” he said.

The new MMA president obtained his MBBS degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India, in 1991, and went into private practice from 1994 after completing his national service term.