During their interviews in June, the medical officers had been told to be prepared to serve in the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak. They were specifically asked by the Public Services Commission (PSC) and health ministry officials if they would accept the offer if they were sent to these areas.

According to the doctors, they were surprised when they began going online on Tuesday to make their posting choice and were told that they would be retained in the state they were currently serving.

“When we tried to enter the system, it just crashed and we were worried. But all’s well when we got a reply saying we will remain where we are. But we are not sure if this is a permanent arrangement or it was because the system crashed,” one doctor told FMT.

However, dentists and pharmacists who had been absorbed into permanent service were not as lucky when it came to choosing where they preferred to be based, sources say.

Dentists will have to choose theirs from Sept 26 to 28, and pharmacists from Sept 29 to Oct 2. They officially start their new grades on Oct 17.

In February, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that 4,186 healthcare workers on contract would be absorbed into the health ministry in permanent posts.

He said the number comprised 3,586 medical officers, 300 dentists and 300 pharmacists.

In June, more than 8,000 of these medical officers were interviewed after pressure from contract officers for permanent posts. Although the ministry has not given the exact figures, there are about 30,000 of them in the service.

One doctor who was unsuccessful said she was hoping for some good news in the 2023 budget, to be tabled on Oct 7, for those waiting for permanent posts.

“It is going to be a real long wait if the government fails to address this as there are at least 3,000 graduates entering service each year.

“Budget 2023 must address this or there will be much agitation with many ending their contracts over the next two years,” she said.