Malaysia boasts a highly-regarded healthcare system, renowned for its strong network of companies and officials. The country also has abundant medical career opportunities, and support from international investments and foreign doctors. Foreign doctors from Indonesia seeking work opportunities in Malaysia will find this environment welcoming. To find the most relevant jobs for healthcare practitioners in Malaysia, navigate to Doctor Jobs Today’s job list.
Such recognition of the country’s healthcare services can be attributed to the employment of doctors from other countries in high-quality health institutions. It is predicted that both sectors will start to be increasingly preferred by people because of factors that negatively affect human health. That includes emerging viruses, air and water pollution, global warming, and sudden climate changes. Per aseanbriefing, Malaysia is among the leaders on the globe in providing affordable health-care, with up to 98 percent of the cost of services rendered in government-based institutions. So much so that the cost of a medical practice received in Malaysia is 40 percent lower than in the USA. In addition, the country aims to become a destination for other countries in ASEAN which is a regional group that provides economic and secure cooperation between member states and aims to develop relations, attracting many medical tourists each year.
What is Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)?
Established by an Act of Parliament on September 27, 1971, and officially launched on September 30 of the same year, the MMC ensures a safe and well-equipped medical practice in Malaysia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, the MMC’s primary vision is to set educational and practical standards that benefit patients, society, and doctors in Malaysia through fair and effective administration of Medical Law.
The MMC actively legislates key functions concerning the registration and practice of doctors. It also determines the duration of mandatory services for some doctors. For example, Indonesian doctors may undergo a 6-month assessment/service in a public hospital, while others might have their applications approved without further evaluation. Initially, the MMC recognized graduates from colleges and universities accredited by the UK General Medical Council (GMC).
Over the years, the MMC has expanded its validation to include medical schools and hospitals in various countries, including Indonesia, adding these institutions to its current list of recognized medical degrees under the second program of the law. In acknowledging these institutions, the MMC adopted the directive on accreditation procedures established in 1996 and later revised it in the 2000s. This amendment broadened the MMC’s mandate to oversee all health education, extending beyond just undergraduate medical training.
Procedure to obtain a Medical License in Malaysia
Prerequisites to apply for working in Malaysia as a doctor
Under the Medical Act 1971, Indonesian doctors aspiring to work in Malaysia must register with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Prior to applying, these medical practitioners need to secure a job offer from a recognized Malaysian institution and hold a medical degree that the MMC acknowledges. The MMC has recognized medical degrees from several universities, including:
- University of Indonesia
- Airlangga University
- University of Dipenegoro
- University of Padjadjaran
- University of Gadjah Mada
- University of Andalas
- University of Sumatra Utara
- University of Sriwijaya Palembang
- University of Brawijaya
- University of Hasanuddin
Other prerequisites
In addition to having a degree recognized by the MMC, the applicant must have 5 years of medical experience in medicine such as emergency medicine, general practice (or aesthetic medicine), surgery, obstetrics and gynecology or equivalent. The applying doctor must be offered employment in Malaysia and also prepare several documents according to the legislation such as:
- Copy of Appointment/Offer Letter
- Copies of Advertisement made in three (3) National Newspapers
- Form 7 – Full Registration application form
- Curriculum Vitae of Applicant including work experience
- Recent passport sized photo
- A certified true copy of the basic medical degree. For Indonesian university graduates – certified true copies of Sarjana Kedokteran and Ijazah Kedokteran
- A certified true copy of the Provisional Registration certificate with the Medical Council /Licensing Authority in country of practice
- A certified true copy of the Full Registration certificate with the Medical Council /Licensing Authority in last country of practice
- A current and original Certificate of Good Standing from Medical Council/ Licensing Authority in last country of practice (to be sent by the issuing authority directly to MMC)
- A certified true copy of the testimonials of the last three years working experience including Senior Houseman Certificate with postings specified, if applicable
- Certified true copy of passport
- Certified true copy(ies) of postgraduate degree(s), if applicable
- A statutory declaration – If your name in the documents differs with that in your passport.
- If the original documents are not in either Bahasa Malaysia or English you will be required to give the document in its original language and the translated documents
- Translated documents are only acceptable if carried out by qualified translators such as Institut Terjemahan dan Buku Malaysia (ITBM) or officers of the appropriate Embassy
- Fitness to Practice Declaration form
- Certified true copy of the medical report/sick leaves, if any
- Certified true copies of marriage certificate for foreign spouse of Malaysian, if applicable
- If the practitioner is either still registered and serving a contract with another employer, a Release or No Objection Letter from the current/previous employer
- RM150.00 fee via online banking
Application process for Indonesian doctors wishing to work in Malaysia
To start working as an Indonesian doctor in Malaysia as a GP or another specialty, a doctor who meets all the conditions and has the necessary documents mentioned in prerequisites section should contact the Malaysian Medical Council, or MMC, to apply for a provisional registration. Through MMC’s registration system, the MMC ensures that the foreign doctor has the knowledge and skill necessary to provide consistent and effective treatment to the people of Malaysia by subjecting foreign doctors to a few exams and also ensuring that doctors applying for working in Malaysia are able to to provide various documents as listed above.
Native practitioners have the right to apply directly to the MMC; however for doctors from other countries, the application must be submitted through prospective employers. As mentioned, it is much easier to prove their qualifications for graduates of listed universities. It is worth noting that all medical members of staff can apply for working as a medical practitioner through MMC.
Examination requirements for doctors to work in Malaysia
As discussed, The Medicine Act 1971 requires doctors wishing to practice medicine in Malaysia to have a registered medical license issued by the MMC. Also, under the Medicine Act 1971, medical graduates from universities not listed in the second schedule of the medicine act (also listed in the prerequisites section) are subject to a provisional registration examination (EPR). Examination for provisional registration (EPR) is held twice a year, in March and September, and the deadlines for these exams are set one month before the exam date. Announcements of the dates are published on the announcement MMC official website. Foreign doctors passing the EPR should take the clinical and theory examination to start working as a doctor in Malaysia, both are mandatory to register with the MMC. Fees payable are as follows:
- Processing fee RM1000.00
- Theory Examination RM3000.00
- Clinical Examination RM3000.00
Approval process of Indonesian doctors
Within 3 weeks after the applications are completed, the candidate’s application is reviewed, and accordingly the nominee should be informed. Approved foreign doctors will be able to obtain full enrollment approval after obtaining approval from the head of department in their place of employment regarding the commencement date. Indonesian doctors can finally start working in hospitals and government health institutions after they have received full registration approval. Doctors who want to work under government supervision can choose public hospitals and clinics, while Indonesian doctors who want to enter private sectors can choose private hospitals and clinics. They may also work within online consultation or telemedicine fields.
Full Registration and NSR Registration
Doctors who complete their medical degree or equivalent are granted Full Registration by Malaysian Medical Council. The candidate only needs to complete a medical officer posting to start working as a private practitioner. NSR is specific to specialists such as internal practitioners as cardiologists, rheumatologists, oncologists, etc.; surgical specialties as neurosurgeons, general surgeons, orthopedics, etc. (you can find more information on specialists here). The primary care specialty in Malaysia is known as Family Medicine which is a 7-year specialty. These practitioners will be fully registered with the NSR. So, can foreign doctors from Indonesia work in Malaysia? Of course they can!
Are you an Indonesian Doctor seeking employment opportunities in Malaysia? Fill in this form to express interest and we will be sure to share relevant opportunities with you!
About Doctor Jobs Today
Doctor Jobs Today is the first job-seeking platform in Southeast Asia dedicated to serving the job searching needs of healthcare professionals. We have created a space to connect employers and medical job seekers seamlessly. As part of the healthcare community, we understand that traditional job portals are not catered toward medical doctors. So we decided to create a portal advertising only the most relevant jobs from the top employers within the industry because we are just as picky as you are!
Doctor Jobs Today has the right vacancy whether you are looking for a higher salary, a better-equipped hospital for your specialization, or even a career shift from patient care.
About Docquity
If you feel like your educational and professional experience has not been sufficient to make your CV pop, expanding the network to other healthcare professionals to practise peer-to-peer learning might be the answer. One of the ways to do it is by joining a social platform for healthcare professionals, such as Docquity.
Docquity is the region’s largest and most trusted community of doctors, bringing you real-time knowledge from thousands of doctors worldwide. Today, Docquity has over 300,000 doctors spread across six countries in Asia.
Meet experts and trusted peers across Asia where you can safely discuss clinical cases, get up-to-date insights from webinars and research journals, and earn CME/CPD credits through certified courses. All with the ease of a mobile app available on Android & iOS platforms!
