Over 60% med officers reported for duty in Sabah, Sarawak, says Dr Dzul

KUALA LUMPUR: Just over 60% of medical officers offered permanent appointments in Sabah and Sarawak reported for duty, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said 337 out of 527 medical officers offered placements in Sarawak reported for duty, while 336 out of 528 in Sabah did so.

“This means that overall, 63% of medical officers reported for duty in Sabah and Sarawak out of the total placements offered,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 8).

Dzulkefly said the figure represented a five-percentage-point improvement in the non-reporting rate compared with 2025, when 42% of medical officers did not report for duty.

He said among the reasons given for rejecting the permanent appointments were being separated from family and not being prepared to relocate and serve in rural areas.

“Other reasons include a preference for working at healthcare facilities in urban areas, the perception of limited career opportunities in rural and interior areas, and the need to care for parents and siblings,” he said.

He added that some officers cited health problems, logistical and personal financial difficulties, high relocation costs, limited opportunities for specialist training, and concerns over their career direction and prospects of transferring back to Peninsular Malaysia or their home region.

Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry had taken several measures to encourage medical officers to report for duty in Sabah and Sarawak.

These include upgrading the ePlacement system, with placement decisions determined using algorithm technology, as well as issuing placement decisions earlier to give officers more time to prepare.

“Eligible officers can also receive the Transfer Allowance at 100%, covering meal allowances, hotel or lodging costs, travel fares and transportation costs for their belongings,” he said.

He said officers who later transfer back to their home region would also be eligible for a Disturbance Allowance equivalent to one month's basic salary.

“Additional merit will also be given to medical officers who have previously served in Sabah and Sarawak when considering them for specialist training programmes and study leave with the Health Ministry,” he added.

Dzulkefly also announced that the ministry would study and subsequently implement a 30% quota for specialist training for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the quota was intended to recognise the sacrifices of medical officers serving in the two states.

Dzukefly was responding to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) on the number of medical officers who failed to report for duty in the two states, the underlying causes and measures being taken to address the issue.