In a seeming concession to voices of protest by junior doctors and organisations such as the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Health Ministry (MOH) issued a circular stating existing contract doctors will be offered reappointment on a contract basis as medical officers from Dec 5, 2021 to Dec 4, 2022.

The circular sighted by Malaysiakini said those in the Grade UD43 category would be offered the contract on a one-off basis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Placement for the purpose of reappointment on a contract basis is...