Only 63pc of doctors offered Sabah and Sarawak postings report for duty, says health minister

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad says the government is reviewing a proposal to reserve 30 per cent of specialist training places for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak, after 37 per cent of those offered placements in the two states failed to report for duty. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 08 Oct 2026 1:14 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing the implementation of a dedicated 30 per cent quota for specialist training via the Federal Training Award (HLP) for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this measure reflects his commitment to uplifting, honouring, and recognising the sacrifices made by all medical officers serving in those two states.

“Currently, we have 1,650 HLP slots available, therefore, approximately 30 per cent or 500 places are being specifically allocated to those serving in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Dzulkefly was responding to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (BN-Pulai) regarding the high rate of medical officers failing to report for duty in Sabah and Sarawak following the expiration of the reporting deadline for 4,255 officers yesterday and the measures the Ministry is taking to address the issue.

Regarding the number of medical officers who reported for duty, he noted that 337 out of the 527 individuals offered positions reported in Sarawak, while in Sabah, the figure was 336 out of 528.

“Overall, the percentage of medical officers who reported for duty in Sabah and Sarawak was 63 per cent of the total placements offered.

“Although this figure shows a slight improvement compared to the ‘no-show’ or failure-to-report rate of 42 per cent recorded between 2020 and 2025, the rate has only decreased by five per cent this time,” he said.

Dzulkefly said factors such as being far from family and a preference for working in urban health facilities were among the reasons medical officers declined permanent appointment offers for placements in those two states.

According to him, medical officers also hold the view that career prospects are less favourable if they serve in rural and remote areas.

“Officers wish to care for their parents and siblings and want to be close to their spouses. They also face health issues, as well as logistical challenges, personal financial constraints, and high relocation costs.

“Furthermore, there is a perception that opportunities for pursuing specialist training are limited if one is posted to Sabah and Sarawak, alongside concerns regarding career progression and the chances of transferring back to the Peninsula or their home regions,” he said.

To encourage medical officers to report for duty in Sabah and Sarawak, Dzulkefly said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has improved the placement process for permanently appointed medical officers by upgrading the eHousemen (e-Placement) system.

“In addition, officers are eligible to receive a transfer allowance at a 100 per cent rate covering meal allowances, hotel accommodation costs, travel fares, and various other benefits that were previously unavailable due to the transition from contract to permanent employment status.

“Upon transferring back to their home regions, medical officers are also eligible for a disturbance allowance equivalent to one month of their substantive salary,” he said.

Regarding whether the government would consider phasing out contract positions in the future, Dzulkefly stated that the matter would be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the near future.

“My goal since returning to helm the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the second time has been to end this contract service arrangement, and this matter has already been taken into consideration,” he said. — Bernama