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New Straits Times
05-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 90pct of insurance premium adjustments under 10pct, says Finance Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 90 per cent of revised insurance policies saw premium increases of less than 10 per cent as of April 30, the Finance Ministry said. The ministry said that over 200,000 policies had benefited from deferred premium adjustments, while more than 14,000 lapsed policies were reinstated. "The adjustment of Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) premium rates is symptomatic of the broader issue of medical cost inflation, which is the main contributing factor. "This inflation is driven by factors such as the rise in non-communicable diseases, investment costs in cutting-edge medical technologies and the largely unchecked cost of providing and utilising healthcare services," he said. It said this in a written reply to Pang Hok Liong, addressing concerns over the government's action on rising private medical insurance premiums, which many Malaysians can no longer afford, forcing some to cancel their policies. The ministry attributed the spike in MHIT premiums in 2024 to a surge in claims following the Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by a delay in premium rate adjustments by insurance and takaful operators during the pandemic. In a separate response to Sim Tze Tzin (PH–Bayan Baru), the ministry said stakeholder engagement is ongoing to consider all views on the development of a basic MHIT product under the Reset strategy, aimed at tackling medical cost inflation and expanding access to affordable coverage. "While the basic MHIT product aims to enable more individuals to obtain affordable insurance coverage, the decision to purchase this product remains voluntary and subject to individual choice. "As with other insurance and takaful products, policyholders may pay the basic MHIT premiums using any financial resources at their disposal," it said. While contributors may use their Employees Provident Fund Sejahtera Account, previously known as Account 2 to pay for premiums, the ministry said there is no compulsion to do so. It said the product's framework has yet to be finalised, with the concept expected to be completed by December and implementation targeted by end-2026.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Multiple allegations against Penang doctor show lack of effective action, says women's group
The Women's Centre for Change (WCC) is appalled by the lack of effective action by authorities against a Penang medical officer who has now been arrested for the fourth time in a string of alleged sexual offences or indecent behaviour towards female patients. Despite three prior arrests in February and March 2025 for separate incidents involving three different women, the doctor was arrested again last month for allegedly molesting another female patient. The latest incident reportedly took place on June 29 at a private clinic in Bayan Baru, where the victim had sought treatment for abdominal pain. 'According to police, the doctor had asked her to undress and allegedly touched her breasts during the consultation. Earlier news reports indicated that the doctor had allegedly photographed or filmed at least two female patients under the guise of medical procedures, where the women were told to run in place, topless,' WCC said in a statement today. 'These recurring allegations raise serious concerns about the apparent lack of effective action and accountability within medical institutions, enforcement agencies, and prosecutorial authorities. WCC asked: Why has the suspect still not been charged in court, despite police confirming four months ago – in March 2025 – that investigation papers for the three prior cases had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP)? Despite multiple arrests, why has the suspect been allowed to continue practising medicine – including taking locum shifts at private clinics? What concrete actions, if any, have been taken by the hospital and health authorities following their internal investigations? 'How many more women must be violated – deceived, secretly recorded, molested or worse – before meaningful and effective action is finally taken? The public is no longer just waiting for answers – it is demanding effective action.' WCC added that the Health Ministry, Penang Health Department, the police, and the Attorney-General's Chambers owe the public full transparency and accountability. 'The Malaysian Medical Council and Malaysian Medical Association also have a duty to act. WCC therefore calls for the following immediate concrete actions: • That the Ministry of Health, Malaysian Medical Council, Malaysian Medical Association and other relevant authorities immediately suspend or revoke the doctor's licence to practise – including barring him from locum duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. • That the police and Attorney-General's Chambers expedite investigation and prosecution in all four reported cases – and move swiftly to charge the suspect without further delay. 'Above all, we seek justice for the victims and urgent action to protect other women at risk,' it added.
Free Malaysia Today
24-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Women's group demands action against doctor accused of sexual crimes
WCC called on the health ministry to investigate the doctor and urged the Malaysian Medical Council to suspend his medical licence pending legal proceedings. (Rawpixel pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Women's Centre for Change (WCC) has questioned why a Penang-based doctor previously arrested four times for alleged sexual crimes has yet to be charged. In a statement, WCC also asked why the doctor was still allowed to treat patients. WCC said it was appalled by the inaction, especially after the doctor was arrested earlier this month for allegedly molesting a patient at a private clinic in Bayan Baru. According to police, the latest incident allegedly occurred on June 29 when the victim visited the clinic for stomach pain. During the examination, the doctor allegedly instructed her to undress and then inappropriately touched her. WCC said this was the fourth reported case involving the doctor in question, with earlier arrests in February and March involving allegations by three other women. The doctor also allegedly filmed patients during examinations and asked them to jog topless under the guise of medical checks. 'Police said in March that investigation papers had been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP). So why haven't any charges been filed?' WCC asked. 'Why is this doctor still allowed to practise, including taking locum shifts at private clinics? What action has been taken by hospital authorities or the health ministry?' WCC called on the health ministry to investigate the doctor and urged the Malaysian Medical Council to immediately suspend his medical licence pending legal proceedings. It also urged the Attorney-General's Chambers and police to expedite the investigation and bring charges against the doctor in all four cases without further delay. Penang cops to further probe doctor Acting Penang police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the doctor was rearrested on Monday over the molestation claim and remanded for three days before being released on bail. He said police would record several statements to complete the investigation papers. The DPP has instructed police to wrap up their probe into all four cases involving the doctor, he added. 'For the three cases reported in the Timur Laut district, we have completed the investigation and submitted the papers to the DPP's office for further action and instructions. 'However, we recently received instructions from the DPP's office to include this fourth case and complete the overall investigation. 'We are currently working on it before resubmitting the papers to the DPP,' Bernama quoted him as saying at a press conference today.
Malay Mail
27-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Penang factory manager falls for fake US businessman, loses RM300,000 in Facebook romance scam
GEORGE TOWN, June 27 — An analysis manager at a factory in Bayan Baru, here, lost RM300,000 after falling victim to a love scam through social media. Penang Police deputy chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the incident began when the 45-year-old woman became acquainted with a man claiming to be an American citizen via Facebook in November last year. He said not long after, they started communicating via WhatsApp after the man allegedly expressed a desire to pursue a serious relationship with the victim. 'The suspect introduced himself as a businessman in the field of information technology (IT), claiming to be operating a business in a foreign country. 'After a month of getting to know one another, the suspect told the victim that his bank account had been frozen in that country and asked for her help to make payments for the delivery of important stock related to his business,' he said in a statement today. Mohd Alwi said the suspect promised to repay the money and even offered additional payment as a token of appreciation to convince the victim. Lured by the online romance and trusting the suspect, the woman then made 16 transactions to five different bank accounts between December 12 and 14, 2024. However, the victim realised that she had been scammed when the suspect asked for more money, allegedly to cover his travel expenses to visit her in Malaysia. He also sent her a tampered photo of a passport. Mohd Alwi said the woman lodged a police report at the Barat Daya police headquarters yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. — Bernama
