Materia Medica Malaysiana

KL to recognise China medical degrees - SEPT 8, 2003: "Aim to address shortage of doctors and improve relations with China in bid to boost share of Malaysian Chinese vote
By Leslie Lau

MALAYSIA plans to recognise medical and dental degrees from universities in China, in a move designed to enhance bilateral ties and help remedy a shortage of doctors.
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will also discuss student exchange programmes with Chinese officials when he visits Beijing this week.
The move will strengthen the position of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which is courting the Chinese community for crucial votes as it prepares to face the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia in a general election likely to be called by next year.
With Malay votes split between the government and the opposition, the Chinese community's support is important for BN's electoral strategy.
Any move to strengthen relations with China is usually greeted with approval.
Datuk Seri Abdullah is heading to Beijing on Saturday with eight Cabinet members, for talks on the recognition of Chinese universities, the entry of foreign workers from China into Malaysia and other issues.
The Malaysian delegation will also take part in talks on enhancing student exchange programmes, to encourage more Malaysian students to study in China's universities.
About 1,500 Malaysian university students are studying in China but more than 10,000 China students are enrolled in Malaysian universities and colleges, representing the country's biggest group of foreign students.
Education Minister Musa Mohamad, who will accompany the Deputy Prime Minister for the Beijing talks, said the government wanted Malaysian students to have more choice, especially if they wanted to take up medicine or dentistry. "