The gazettement of the amending act, which took place on Oct 17, paves the way for these doctors to apply to the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) to be enrolled on the National Specialists Register (NSR).

Senator RA Lingeshwaran said listed specialists who serve in public hospitals will now be entitled to receive a monthly allowance of RM3,000.

They will also be able to serve in the private wing of these hospitals, he said.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong gave his royal assent to the amendments on Oct 6, and the amending act was published in the Government Gazette on Oct 17.

“There are a number of affected specialists from various fields waiting for this good news,” the former Sungai Bakap Hospital director told FMT.

Lingeshwaran has been critical of the MMC over its refusal to recognise courses prescribed under the parallel pathway programmes, rejecting at least 20 qualified cardiothoracic surgeons, despite an acute shortage in government hospitals presently.

At least 10 specialists have sued the MMC for refusing to recognise qualifications they secured from local and foreign universities.

One case was brought by four doctors who qualified as cardiothoracic surgeons from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, a world renowned institution.

The other suit involves six Universiti Sains Malaysia graduates in pathology who are seeking to compel the MMC to enrol them on the NSR which will allow them to practice as independent specialists in Malaysia.

Both cases were put on hold pending the gazettement, after Parliament passed the amendments in July.

MMC’s lawyers, Kanesh Sundrum & Co, had told the court previously that all court actions would become mere academic exercises once the amendments are gazetted.