As the problem of permanent placement had been existing for a long time, the current government could not resolve it within a year, Berita Harian reported Anwar as telling the Dewan Negara.

“If we were to give all 4,000 (permanent placement) as demanded, we will need more than RM10 billion a year. So, this is impossible.

“I give my assurance that this year there will be 1,500 permanent placements. Next year and the following year, let’s say in three years’ time, we can solve this problem,” he said when presenting the supply bill for its second reading at the Dewan Negara.

In November 2021, the health ministry said 4,186 contract healthcare personnel had been evaluated and certified to be absorbed as permanent staff by the public services department. This involves 3,586 doctors, 300 dentists and 300 pharmacists.

Anwar said the government would continue prioritising critical sectors such as healthcare and education.

“This will involve an additional RM800 million for 2023, which we are able to afford as it is for one year,” he said.

Earlier today, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah urged healthcare workers to not go on strike as it was not the best solution to address problems plaguing the healthcare system.

According to a report in The Star, a group known as “Mogok Doktor Malaysia” claimed that about 8,000 contract doctors could take part in a strike next month. It also said these doctors could resign en masse.

The group said those on strike would take emergency or medical leave from April 3 to April 5 as a sign of protest. It did not, however, encourage the doctors to take part in any demonstrations.