KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 7 -- The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) has accused the health minister of failing to defend doctors against policy overreach by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL).

FPMPAM president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson criticised Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad for keeping silent when the deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living cited NACCOL's "mandate" in Parliament to justify new rules for private clinics.

"These were policy suggestions, not legally binding directives, but the way they were presented has caused widespread confusion," Dr Shanmuganathan said in a statement.

He said the minister's failure to speak up during NACCOL meetings showed either "co...