Doctors in Malaysia who submitted complete applications for their 2026 Annual Practising Certificate (APC) by the year-end deadline continue to be covered by professional indemnity arrangements while their certificates are being processed, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
According to The Star’s report, MMA president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said practitioners who met statutory requirements and paid the prescribed fees by Dec. 31 are allowed to continue practising pending formal APC issuance, in line with guidance from the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). “Doctors who have complied fully with the APC application requirements by Dec 31 last year are allowed to continue practising while their applications are being processed, as clarified by the Malaysian Medical Council president, provided there are no other restrictions under the Medical Act 1971,” he said in a statement issued on Jan. 6. The statement comes amid concern from private-sector doctors about potential gaps in indemnity protection or regulatory exposure arising from delays in generating the 2026 APC in the electronic system.
Thirunavukarasu said MMA had received written confirmation from its two indemnity partners, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) and MEDEFEND, that cover would apply to eligible doctors during the interim period. “We have been formally assured that doctors who have obtained certification of indemnity for the period commencing Jan 1 and submitted their APC applications by the deadline will continue to be fully indemnified under their respective policies or terms of membership,” he said.
According to MMA, the position is relevant to private general practitioners and specialists who have both renewed their indemnity and filed APC applications on time. The association noted that questions had been raised about how claims would be treated if they arose while the new APC had not yet been issued. “This ensures continuity of medico-legal protection and supports uninterrupted patient care while doctors await official APC issuance,” Thirunavukarasu said. He added that MMA remains in discussions with the Health Ministry and other stakeholders on matters related to private-sector practice, including APC processing and professional obligations. For insurers and intermediaries active in medical malpractice and professional indemnity, the clarification sets out how APC processing timelines intersect with cover continuity for Malaysian doctors moving into the 2026 practice year.
Separately, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has restated that insurers and takaful operators must not delay medical claims without valid justification and may not rely on exclusions or conditions that have not been clearly disclosed in the policy and related documents. In a written response to health news outlet CodeBlue, the central bank said medical claims handling by insurers and takaful operators – collectively referred to as ITOs – must follow standards of fairness and timeliness. “ITOs must observe fair and prompt settlement of claims and cannot unreasonably delay or deny claims without valid justification,” BNM said.
The central bank also said that conditions and exclusions must be made known to policyholders in the policy terms and related disclosure material, and that it can investigate and enforce its requirements where undisclosed terms are applied. “In addition, ITOs cannot enforce conditions or exclusions that are not made known to the policyholder in the policy terms and conditions and related disclosure material. Where such cases arise, BNM can take actions to investigate and enforce its requirements,” it said.
