Teck Jin Wong

I read the recent NST Leader “Of healthcare and public-private sector integration” with great interest. The discussion on public–private integration in healthcare is a welcome one. For too long, the debate has been...

During Chinese New Year, somewhere between the third serving of bak kwa and the late-night pineapple tarts, I found myself doing what many of us quietly do after festive indulgence, negotiating with the future.

As Bank Negara Malaysia rolls out the White Paper on Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) product under the RESET initiative, a familiar criticism keeps surfacing. Why this half step? Why an interim product?...

As scrutiny over Bank Negara Malaysia’s proposed Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) continues, much of the criticism assumes the product’s success should be judged by whether it lowers medical costs or...

On paper, Malaysia’s economy weathered 2025’s global shocks reasonably well. The ringgit strengthened, GDP growth remained commendable, and macro indicators suggested stability. Yet for many households and SMEs, the...

Rising medical insurance premiums are hitting Malaysians hard, and the frustration is entirely justified. What we’re seeing today isn’t a sudden spike or an isolated anomaly, it’s the visible tip of deep, long-building...

Insurance is, at its core, a social promise. It converts private vulnerability into shared security — a pact that no one should face ruin alone when illness strikes. Each participant pays a little so that, collectively,...