KUALA LUMPUR — Approximately 63% of medical officers offered permanent appointments in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak reported for duty, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The figures, provided during a parliamentary session on Thursday, show a modest improvement compared to the previous year.
Out of 528 medical officers offered positions in Sabah, 336 accepted and reported for duty. In Sarawak, 337 out of 527 medical officers offered placements did so. This represents a five-percentage-point improvement from 2025, when 42% of officers declined their postings in these states.
Dr Dzulkefly attributed the reluctance of some medical officers to accept assignments in Sabah and Sarawak to various personal and professional factors. Key reasons cited included family separation, unwillingness to relocate, and preference for working in urban rather than rural healthcare facilities. Concerns about limited career development opportunities in rural or interior areas, responsibilities to care for family members, and health issues were also mentioned.
Additional challenges noted by officers included logistical and financial difficulties related to relocation, high moving costs, limited access to specialist training, and uncertainties over career progression or potential transfers back to Peninsular Malaysia or their home regions.
To address these issues, the Health Ministry has implemented several measures aimed at encouraging medical officers to take up assignments in Sabah and Sarawak. These include enhancements to the ePlacement system, which now uses algorithm technology to allocate postings and issues placement decisions earlier to allow more time for arrangements. The ministry has also introduced a comprehensive Transfer Allowance covering meal, lodging, travel, and transportation costs for officers relocating to these states.
Furthermore, medical officers who later transfer back to their home regions may receive a Disturbance Allowance equivalent to one month’s basic salary. The ministry will also provide additional merit points when considering officers who have served in Sabah and Sarawak for specialist training programs and study leave.
Dr Dzulkefly announced plans to establish a 30% quota for specialist training placements for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak. This initiative is intended to recognise and reward the sacrifices made by officers working in these states.
The minister provided these details in response to a question from Pulai Member of Parliament Suhaizan Kaiat regarding the rate of non-reporting by medical officers in Sabah and Sarawak and the efforts to mitigate this challenge.