The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to urgently implement comprehensive reforms in the national healthcare system, warning that continued inaction may accelerate the exodus of Malaysian doctors to neighboring countries, particularly Singapore.
The call follows recent reports of a Singapore-led recruitment initiative held in Kuala Lumpur, which offered Malaysian doctors significantly attractive compensation packages. The MMA warns that this could further strain the already overburdened public healthcare system—especially in underserved regions such as Sabah and Sarawak.
In a statement, MMA president Dr. Kalwinder Singh Khaira emphasized that retaining medical professionals must be treated as a national priority.
“Delays in policy reform risk causing long-term damage and compromise both the quality and accessibility of public healthcare for millions of Malaysians who rely on the government health system,” he said.
Among the key concerns raised was the continued use of the contract-based employment system for medical officers. Dr. Kalwinder reiterated the MMA’s long-standing position that the government should abolish the outdated contract scheme and reinstate permanent positions as the standard for medical appointments, citing its negative impact on job security and career progression.
He also called for the immediate revision of doctors’ on-call allowances, which he described as “long overdue and unjustifiably low” in relation to the workload and professional responsibility borne by doctors across the public health sector.
“The government must acknowledge that retaining talent in the healthcare system comes at a cost. Current compensation structures do not reflect the level of dedication and service provided by our doctors,” he said.
Another pressing issue highlighted was the financial burden borne by doctors transferred between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Dr. Kalwinder urged the government to fully subsidize relocation expenses, noting that the high cost of moving families and personal belongings had led many doctors to reject transfers or resign from public service altogether.
He also renewed calls for the establishment of transparent and accessible career pathways for doctors to pursue specialization. This includes allowing postgraduate training through parallel pathway programmes in public hospitals without mandating participation in the government-funded Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLF) scholarship scheme.
Additionally, Dr. Kalwinder criticized the disparity in regional incentive structures under the new public service remuneration policy. He noted that doctors with similar ranks and responsibilities now receive unequal pay if transferred after December 1, creating frustration among staff and deterring postings to critical regions like Sabah and Sarawak.
“Equal work deserves equal compensation. Any policy that undermines this principle will continue to discourage healthcare deployment in high-need areas,” he warned, urging immediate review and correction of the system.
