Cost, reduced regional allowance deter doctors from Sabah, Sarawak postings

KUALA LUMPUR: Cost of living and a reduction in regional allowances following the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) are among the factors believed to be discouraging some medical officers from accepting postings in Sabah and Sarawak.

Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) spokesman Dr Muhammad Yassin said some doctors were even willing to reject offers of permanent appointments if they were posted to either state.

He said permanent appointments were not offered regularly, and rejecting one could affect a doctor's career prospects.

"Many do not want to go because of the cost, especially those who are already married.

"With the SSPA system, regional allowances have been reduced, and this has become one of the considerations for doctors when they are offered postings in Sabah or Sarawak," he told Berita Harian.

It was previously reported that several hospitals in Sabah and Sarawak were facing a shortage of medical officers after allegedly having no new doctors report for permanent appointments this month.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1545319/sabah-hospitals-face-doctor-shortage-amid-low-turnout-new-mos

The Health Ministry has not disclosed the actual number of medical officers who failed to report for duty, although social media users had raised claims of medical officers "missing" from their respective postings.

Dr Muhammad said the regional allowance was previously 12.5 per cent of a doctor's monthly salary, but under the SSPA, the payment had been incorporated into the Regional Incentive Payment.

He said this had indirectly reduced the financial appeal for doctors who had to relocate far from the peninsula, particularly those with families who faced additional costs such as accommodation and travel.

"If the Federal Government or the Sabah and Sarawak governments could provide additional incentives, they might be more willing to go there," he said.

Doctors urged to weigh options

Dr Muhammad said the issue needed attention as permanent appointments were not offered continuously to all contract doctors, with some receiving only one opportunity during their service.

He said contract doctors who failed to receive an offer of a permanent appointment or a new contract after a certain period might have to move to the private sector to continue their careers.

"After seven years, if they are not offered another appointment, they will have to move to clinics or the private sector.

"That seven-year period includes two years of housemanship, meaning they have about another five years of service," he said.

He said this meant some doctors had to carefully consider a posting, including whether the benefits offered were worth the costs and implications for their family lives.

On action against doctors who failed to report for their offered postings, Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan said the reasons behind their decision should first be understood.

He said taking action without addressing the root causes could result in more doctors leaving the public healthcare system, which was already facing a shortage of manpower.

"Taking action without addressing the root causes risks causing more doctors to leave the public healthcare system, which is already short of manpower," he told BH yesterday.

He said the priority now should be to ensure the postings offered were attractive enough to encourage doctors to accept them and remain in the public service.