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PARTI Amanah Negara (Amanah) will not tolerate narrow identity politics or the exploitation of race and religion for political gain, said its vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Speaking after officiating the Perak State Amanah Convention 2025 at the Casuarina Convention Centre in Ipoh on Sunday, Dr Dzulkefly, who also serves as Health Minister, said that identity-based hate politics would only erode the nation’s unity at a time when the Unity Government is striving to foster cooperation across political lines.
“We must firmly reject identity politics—where others are belittled simply because of differences in religion, race, or ethnicity,” he said.
Accompanied by Perak Amanah chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi, Dr Dzulkefly emphasised that political narratives rooted in racial or religious superiority are toxic and incompatible with Malaysia’s multicultural harmony.
“Perak must never return to divisive politics. Neither should Malaysia. We can only progress by uniting, appreciating diversity, and turning our differences into strength,” he stated.
He pointed to Perak as a model of effective cooperation under the Unity Government framework, highlighting that Amanah representatives, including an executive councillor and several special officers such as Datuk Asmuni in Manjoi, are playing active roles in supporting the administration led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
“The collaboration has been excellent, from Manjoi to Titi Serong, Kamunting and Pasir Panjang,” he added.
On the upcoming Sabah state election, Dr Dzulkefly confirmed that seat negotiations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are proceeding smoothly.
“We are hopeful that Amanah will be allocated seats, allowing us to contest and potentially secure our first ever state seat in Sabah,” he said.
Rising Health Insurance Premiums Driving T20 Patients to Public Hospitals
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said the rising cost of health insurance premiums is prompting more members of the high-income (T20) group in Malaysia to seek treatment at public hospitals, including at the country’s premier government facility, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said Dr Dzulkefly said the trend reflects growing concern over the impact of medical inflation on all income groups.
“We cannot ignore this. When insurance and takaful premiums rise, not only the M40 but even the T20 will reassess their policies,” he told reporters. “This is why it’s critical for us to mitigate and control premium increases.”
He added that collaboration between stakeholders—including insurance providers, takaful operators, Bank Negara Malaysia, and private hospitals—is essential in addressing healthcare inflation, which he noted is rising faster than the national inflation rate.
“This issue must be studied carefully to ensure equitable access to treatment and the financial sustainability of the public healthcare system,” he said.
Dr Dzulkefly, who also serves as Amanah vice-president, emphasised that Malaysia’s 150 public hospitals under the Ministry of Health remain open to all citizens, regardless of income.
“Public hospitals are not just for the B40 or M40 groups. They’re for all Malaysians, including the T20,” he said. “Although most in the T20 group typically rely on private hospitals, either via insurance or out-of-pocket, there are instances where they turn to public hospitals—especially in critical situations.”
His remarks follow recent reports highlighting how HKL is increasingly serving not only lower-income patients but also high-income individuals and even VIPs, reflecting a shift in public hospital usage patterns amid rising healthcare costs. - Sept 7, 2025