PUTRAJAYA – A bill on the embattled Parallel Pathway programme will be tabled in the upcoming Parliament sessions to resolve the issue, said government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said the issue was discussed in this week’s cabinet meeting held today, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“A joint memorandum by the health and higher education ministries (on the Parallel Pathway programme) has been tabled and decided upon,” Fahmi told a post-cabinet press conference at the Communications Ministry, which he heads, today.
“Therefore, the Parallel Pathway issue will be overcome with the tabling of a bill, which will be brought to Parliament.
“We hope that if all runs smoothly, it will be brought to Parliament, either in the next sitting or during the one after.”
Previously, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said he gave an initial briefing to the cabinet on May 29 regarding the programme, which is offered by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
He said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad was expected to provide a holistic suggestion in today’s cabinet meeting.
Besides UiTM, which runs the Master of Science in Surgery (Cardiothoracic) Programme (Parallel Pathway), other universities, such as Universiti Malaya, are in the process of obtaining accreditation certificates for the same programme.
“The main issue in the field of cardiothoracic surgery is recognising its specialty training, implemented by the Health Ministry,” Fahmi said today.
“(There is also) the issue of registering medical officers who have completed Parallel Pathway specialist training in the National Specialist Register under the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).”
Meanwhile, Fahmi said further details regarding the bill should be sought from the health and higher education ministries.
“I have mentioned this before, the main issue here involves jurisdiction between two bodies, namely the MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency) and the MMC.
“If we bring the amendment to Parliament, it will help resolve the issue. So, we have to wait until the bill is presented. I cannot reveal (it) unless you get (the details) from the ministers,” he said. – June 5, 2024