KUCHING: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen has commended three significant policy changes in parliament that promise long-lasting benefits for Malaysians, especially Sarawakians.
Parliament, which sat from June 25 to July 18, saw the passage of crucial legislation in healthcare, education, and regional governance.
Chong praised the passing of the Medical (Amendment) Act 2024, a landmark decision that formally recognises overseas medical specialist training courses.
He noted that this amendment ensures that Malaysian doctors trained at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in England, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Australia, and Canada will be registered as specialists in Malaysia by the Malaysian Medical Council.
“In the last few years, some elements had tried to restrict future medical specialist training to only those master degree courses offered in the local universities,” he said.
The intention, he suspected, was to restrict the training courses and even to restrict the racial quotas for the intakes of specialist training candidates.
He warned that such restrictions could have led to a brain drain and reduced access to specialist medical care.
Chong asserted that the amendment, passed on June 17, despite opposition from Perikatan Nasional and Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) MPs, represents a victory for the Pakatan Harapan government and the medical fraternity.
The second significant policy change guarantees Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) students with 10As a place in matriculation if they apply, a move Chong described as a step towards meritocracy.
This policy aims to assure top students that their talents are valued, addressing the disappointment often faced by high achievers denied further educational opportunities.
Chong acknowledged that while the policy currently focuses on 10A students, it marks a crucial start in resolving long-standing issues.
“Some may ask: what about the 9A students who are equally outstanding. Ideally, they should also be given priority.
“But for now, at least, there is a start of a policy for such guarantee to the 10A students. At least, the long outstanding perennial issue of 10A students being rejected from matriculation is resolved once and for all by this small change in policy,” he added.
Additionally, the passage of the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024, which transfers control of Bintulu Port from the federal government to the state government, was also lauded by Chong.
Bintulu Port, previously the only federal port in Sarawak, is known for its efficient management and profitability.
The devolution aligns with the policy of decentralisation and regional empowerment.
While supporting the bill and the dissolution, Chong expressed hope that the state government will maintain the port’s high standards of governance and employee welfare.
In light of this, Chong attributed these significant policy changes to the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.
“To me, these are positive policy changes that will have long lasting impacts on us individually and the country as a whole. It also spells the immense possibility for changes that this unity government can install for the country in the next few years till the end of its tenure,” he said.
