21-07-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Give clarity on Rakan KKM initiative, health ministry told
Rakan KKM is an initiative that aims to provide 'premium economy' services at selected government hospitals.
PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the health ministry to clarify the governance and transparency aspects of the newly announced Rakan KKM initiative as well as its potential impact.
MMA president Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said one of the concerns over the initiative to offer 'premium economy' services at selected public hospitals was the risk of creating unequal access to care.
'There is growing apprehension that wealthier patients could be given faster access to services through this model within public facilities, effectively creating a two-tiered system.
'Such an outcome would undermine the principles of universal health coverage, which are built on fairness and equal access to care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status,' he said in a statement today.
Another issue, he said, was regulatory oversight, noting that Rakan KKM was reportedly seeking licensing under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
'As this is a government initiative to be regulated by another arm of the government, public trust in its transparency, accountability, and compliance with healthcare standards must be assured.
Kalwinder also flagged concerns about the strain on an already overstretched public healthcare workforce.
'With severe shortages of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, the association wants to know if Rakan KKM will involve the secondment of government staff, external hiring, or the transfer of existing personnel from public facilities,' he said.
He added that the use of existing health ministry resources, such as infrastructure, equipment, and administrative support, must be addressed.
Kalwinder stressed that any new initiative must not be profit-driven and remain focused on the welfare of the people.
'All reforms or partnerships in healthcare must be guided by the principles of equity, quality, transparency, and long-term sustainability,' he said.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said last night that Rakan KKM was a government-backed initiative.
In a post on X, Dzulkefly said Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd was 100%-owned by the MoF Inc, and that GLICs could take an equity stake in Rakan KKM.
