PETALING JAYA, Jan. 2 -- Delays in the issuance of the 2026 Annual Practising Certificate (APC) by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) have reportedly left thousands of doctors affected, raising concerns over potential disruptions to healthcare services nationwide.

More than 14,000 doctors are estimated by industry members to be affected by the delay, according to a report in Utusan Malaysia.

The APC is a mandatory requirement for registered doctors to practise legally in Malaysia, including providing consultations, treating patients and issuing prescriptions.

A spokesman for doctor advocacy group Hartal Doktor Kontrak reportedly said many APC applications submitted since mid-November remain under review.

"My APC application for 2026,...