PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) will introduce a 30% quota for specialist training opportunities for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
He said he had directed the ministry to study and subsequently implement the dedicated quota to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of medical officers serving in the two states.
“To recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of our medical officers, I am pleased to inform the Dewan Rakyat that I have directed the MOH to study and subsequently implement a specific 30% quota for specialist training for those serving in Sabah and Sarawak,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today during Minister’s Question Time.
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Dzulkefly was responding to Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat, who asked for the actual number of medical officers who failed to report for duty in Sabah and Sarawak after the reporting period for 4,255 medical officers ended on Oct 7, as well as the reasons and measures being taken to address the issue.
He said 337 of the 527 medical officers offered placements in Sarawak had reported for duty, while 336 of the 528 offered placements in Sabah had done so.
“Overall, the percentage of medical officers who reported for duty in Sarawak and Sabah was 63% of the total placements offered.
“The rate of medical officers who did not report for duty had declined by five percentage points compared with 2025, when it stood at 42%,” he said.
Dzulkefly said among the reasons given for rejecting permanent appointments were being separated from their families and reluctance to serve in rural and interior areas, as well as a preference for working at healthcare facilities in urban areas.
“Other reasons included concerns over career opportunities in rural and interior areas, family responsibilities, health problems, logistical and financial difficulties, high relocation costs and limited opportunities to pursue specialist training.”
He added that some officers were also concerned about their career direction and opportunities to transfer back to Peninsular Malaysia or their home regions.
“To encourage more medical officers to report for duty in Sabah and Sarawak, MOH has upgraded its ePlacement system, including using algorithm-based technology to determine placements.”
He said the ministry is also providing briefings on the placement process and announcing placement decisions earlier to give officers sufficient time to prepare before reporting for duty.
“Medical officers are eligible for 100% transfer allowances covering meals, hotel accommodation or lodging, travel fares and transportation of belongings.
“During their transfer back to their home region, medical officers are also eligible for a disturbance allowance at the rate of one month of the officer’s basic salary,” he said.
Dzulkefly added that MOH would also give additional merit to medical officers who had previously served in Sabah and Sarawak when considering applications for specialist training programmes and study leave.
Meanwhile, the ministry is stepping up strategic communication campaigns to encourage medical officers to serve in the two states, including through a testimonial video titled “Bakti di Bawah Bayu” featuring the experiences and challenges of healthcare workers from Peninsular Malaysia serving there.
MOH is also preparing special infographics and welcome posters at respective healthcare facilities as a gesture of appreciation and moral support for medical officers from their first day of reporting for duty.
