Latest news with #Fahmi Fadzil
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar wants health ministry to speed up doctor hiring
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will fast-track the filling of 4,352 permanent positions for government doctors this year. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the health ministry to expedite the filling of more than 4,000 permanent government doctor positions, according to government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said Anwar raised the matter at today's Cabinet meeting, expressing concern that the hiring process was moving too slowly. 'Initially, the health ministry expected most of the positions to be filled by November, but the prime minister felt that timeline was too drawn-out. As a result, the ministry has been asked to fast-track the process. 'There is an urgent need to fill these vacancies. It's not a small number,' Fahmi told a press conference at the communications ministry in Putrajaya today. He said health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has given his commitment to accelerate and simplify the recruitment process without compromising necessary procedures. On Tuesday, Anwar, while announcing new initiatives for the people, said the government would fast-track the filling of 4,352 permanent positions for government doctors this year, including contract-appointed medical officers. He said the move was driven by the critical need for more doctors in the healthcare sector. The health ministry is also preparing a paper for the Cabinet to address the ongoing nationwide shortage of healthcare personnel.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health minister: Cabinet memo on fixing healthcare staffing shortage ready; 4,352 posts to be filled
PAPAR, July 24 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has prepared briefing notes and a memorandum to be presented to the Cabinet to address the shortage of personnel in the national healthcare sector, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the ministry is committed to resolving the filling of 4,352 positions to meet the healthcare needs of the people, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. 'We are aware that the shortage of personnel is a real issue and must be addressed. I am personally committed to expediting the appointment process for those currently on contract to be absorbed into permanent positions without having to wait by cohort. 'We are identifying ways to reduce this deficit or close the gap, and to implement redistribution or resolve the long-standing issue of maldistribution. I have inherited this situation, but I am determined to address it within a reasonable timeframe,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the Community Engagement Day event at the National Information Dissemination Centre in Kampung Langkuas, Kinarut, near here yesterday. Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Ministry of Communications Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MOH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. When announcing government initiatives for Malaysians yesterday, the Prime Minister said the government would expedite the filling of 4,352 positions at healthcare facilities, including the appointment of contract doctors this year, in response to urgent needs in the country's healthcare sector. However, Dzulkefly clarified that the responsibility for position appointments does not lie with the ministry, but rather under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department (JPA) and Public Services Commission (SPA), though he is confident these agencies are committed to fulfilling the staffing needs of the health sector. He added that the MOH is also striving to boost the morale of healthcare staff by maintaining the 42-hour work week for nurses, housemen (PPS), and medical officers (MOs). — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fahmi uses RON95 price cut to take a swipe at July 26 ‘Turun' rally
PAPAR, July 23 — The federal government's latest cash handout and planned petrol price cut reflect its commitment to easing living costs, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today. He also said the assistance and incentives show that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his administration are serious about delivering relief where it matters most. 'Harga minyak turun, Anwar tak turun, tapi Harga RON95 turun,' Fahmi quipped during a media interview, which translates to, 'Anwar is not going down, but the price of RON95 is'. His remark was an apparent jab at the #TurunAnwar rally the Perikatan Nasional opposition is organising this weekend. Earlier today, Anwar announced a one-off cash aid of RM100 for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, as well as the lowering of the RON95 petrol price from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre once the fuel subsidy rationalisation is implemented later this year. Fahmi noted that the expanded cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme would cost the government RM2 billion and benefit 22 million Malaysians. 'Today's announcements are proof that we are not just listening, but acting on the people's concerns,' he said. Fahmi added that the government has managed to strengthen the economy while maintaining low unemployment and attracting steady investment, despite global uncertainties. He said the public could expect more announcements in the coming months, including the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31 and Budget 2026 in October, where deeper and more inclusive reforms will be unveiled.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: GRS-Pakatan talks ‘healthy and productive', unity key to stability in Sabah
PAPAR, July 23 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said seat negotiations between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH ahead of the upcoming state election are progressing smoothly, with both coalitions aligned in their goal of ensuring continued political stability. Without going into detail, Fahmi described the ongoing talks between the federal coalition and Sabah's ruling bloc as 'very healthy and productive.' 'We all want political stability in Sabah, and I believe that is also the desire of both the prime minister and the chief minister,' he said, referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor respectively. Amanah vice-president Datuk Dzulkefly Ahmad added that unity remains the cornerstone of the coalition's strategy — not just for federal polls, but also at the state level. 'I'm one of those who firmly believe that the winning strategy is on our side. 'If we maintain unity, we can sustain political stability, ensure growth and prosperity, and respond to the people's demand for good governance,' he said. The GRS-led Sabah government under Hajiji has consistently expressed its preference to continue working with its national partners in PH, rather than contesting independently, citing political stability as a key factor. Hajiji has said the two coalitions will soon formalise their pact and announce the outcome of seat negotiations. Fahmi added that both sides recognise Sabahans' desire for continuity and progress, not political upheaval. 'The rakyat want stability, they want development, they want prosperity. That's why staying the course with a unity strategy is the best way to win — even in Sabah,' said Dzulkefly.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fahmi: Putrajaya pauses RON95 subsidy cuts to ‘fine-tune' policy, avoid burdening public
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today said the rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies has been delayed to allow for further fine-tuning. He said the reason for the delay is that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim does not want the policy to burden most Malaysians. 'The prime minister expressed his view that he does not want the implementation of any policy to negatively affect the majority of the people. 'It is this process of fine-tuning that has resulted in a slight shift in the timeline,' he said in a press conference at the Parliament here. According to Fahmi, previous policies had been fine-tuned to avoid causing unnecessary hardship to the people. 'That is one of the reasons why, following the implementation of measures such as the diesel subsidy rationalisation and other efforts, we found it necessary to re-examine the subsidy delivery mechanism. 'In the same spirit of minimising impact, even the expansion of the sales and services tax (SST) underwent further refinements after it was announced. 'The same approach applies to policies that have yet to be implemented but were previously indicated including the targeted subsidy for RON95,' he said. Earlier this month, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government is focusing on finalising the details of the RON95 subsidy rationalisation, which was initially scheduled to begin in the second half of this year.
