In a statement, the association’s president Dr Kuljit Singh urged the health ministry to reconsider the move.

Kuljit said nurses already faced challenges gaining the respect and recognition they deserved.

He said lowering the admission requirements “could further decrease the status of nursing in the eyes of the public”.

Kuljit said it was crucial to uphold and enhance the quality of nursing candidates and graduates to maintain the integrity of Malaysia’s healthcare system.

“We also strongly believe that maintaining higher entry qualifications is imperative for the future of the nursing profession.

“We urge the ministry to reconsider this policy change to preserve the quality, respect, and acknowledgment that nursing, as a critical profession, deserves.”

On Feb 3, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad verified a circular shared on social media stating that the admission requirements for the diploma in nursing programme for SPM graduates had been lowered from five credits to three to tackle the shortage of nurses.

The relaxed entry requirements will only apply to students in the 2025 and 2026 intakes.

Kuljit said the government should allow the interim employment of foreign nurses until trained local graduates are ready to join the workforce.

“It is vital to understand that medical treatment carries significant value in terms of both outcomes and costs.

“Therefore, it is essential that we do not compromise on the standards expected in nursing education and practice,” he said.

On Friday, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urged the government to improve the service and employment terms of nurses instead of easing the entry requirements for nursing diploma programmes to address the shortage of nurses.

MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said such improvements would include better remuneration, working hours, and career development opportunities.