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New Straits Times
09-08-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
National health insurance scheme could raise RM6b yearly, says Galen Centre chief
KUALA LUMPUR: A National Health and Social Insurance scheme could generate RM6 billion annually if implemented at a similar contribution rate as Perkeso deductions, said Galen Centre chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib. On an episode of the 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast, Azrul said the proposed fund may not be enough to supplant existing allocations but could serve as a supplement. "The RM6 billion will enable us to finance the things we say we cannot afford: better salaries for specialists, improved pay for nurses and doctors, modernisation of poor facilities, and the ability to attract overseas talent to work in Malaysia," he said. Touting the immediate revenue amount as a game-changer, Azrul weighed it against the revenue expected from the Rakan KKM initiative, which he estimates to be around RM50 million annually. While acknowledging Rakan KKM as a good effort that could positively disrupt the healthcare system, he said pilot projects inevitably come with "ups and downs" and that the most important lesson was to adapt and find alternatives if they fail. The Rakan KKM initiative, which Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently described as a game-changer, allows specialists to offer paid elective services at selected public hospitals, with proceeds reinvested to upgrade facilities and expand capacity.
The Star
08-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Do not let money guide policies'
G25: Commercialisation of public services can further divide society PETALING JAYA: The creeping commercialisation of public services in Malaysia under the guise of 'financial sustainability' is concerning, says civil society group G25. Citing rising foreign student intake in public universities and preferential treatment for paying patients in public hospitals, the group of prominent retired civil servants said such trends could deny deserving Malaysians access to essential services. The group warned that such policies risk deepening socio-economic divides and undermining constitutional guarantees of equality. 'This risks creating new socio-economic divides not based on race or religion, but between those who can afford access and those who cannot,' it said in a statement yesterday. It could also be a violation of the equality provisions as enshrined in Article 8 (equality before the law) and Article 12 (equality in the administration of education) of the Federal Constitution, it added. It said that the nation's ambition to become a high-income, innovation-driven economy hinges on consistent implementation of policies. 'Malaysia's ambition to become a high-income, innovation-driven economy must be underpinned by policies that develop and retain talent as well as avoid deepening socio-economic inequalities,' it said. The group also warned that economic advancement must be matched by improvements in governance and civil liberties. 'As the saying goes, when the stomach is full, people expect higher standards. 'Failure to meet these expectations could lead to resentment that could be exploited by extremist narratives,' it added. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who first raised the issue, said he was not alone in his concerns about public university admissions. 'The G25 shares my apprehension about the commercialisation of these institutions, whereby the rich can just enrol in our public universities as long as they can afford the high tuition fees. 'This could impact access for less affluent Malaysian students, despite their academic excellence,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday. He noted that such practice was reminiscent of the Rakan KKM policy, where money allows one to skip the queue for medical treatment. 'Kudos to G25 for their courage in speaking the truth,' added Dr Wee. On Wednesday, Dr Wee reiterated his concerns about the sharp rise in foreign student enrolment at Malaysia's public universities which is outpacing that of local students, raising red flags about allocation of placements. Citing a recent study by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), he said the number of Malaysian students enrolling in public universities increased modestly from 172,719 in 2018 to 191,450 in 2024, reflecting a 10.8% rise and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of mere 1.73%. In stark contrast, non-Malaysian enrolment surged from 10,003 in 2018 to 19,731 in 2024, marking a 97.3% increase and a CAGR of 11.99%. While not against the intake of international students, Dr Wee said it becomes an issue when their enrolment seems to be replacing spots meant for Malaysian students. 'We must ensure a balance that respects the educational needs of our own creme de la creme.' In response, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied the allegation, saying the government continued to prioritise Malaysians with no compromise on the quotas allocated for local students in public universities.
The Star
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ability of the rich to 'buy' access to public varsities, healthcare worrying, says G25
PETALING JAYA: The increasing commercialisation of public services under the guise of "financial sustainability" is becoming a concern, says civil society group G25. They gave examples of the direct intake of students into public universities and the privatisation of healthcare in the country. "This risks creating new socio-economic divides not based on race or religion, but between those who can afford access and those who cannot. "We risk depriving deserving Malaysians of higher education opportunities in favour of foreign applicants who can afford to pay more. "Poorer patients may have medical treatment delayed in favour of fee-paying patients in public hospitals," it said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 7). G25 said this possibly violates equality provisions in the Federal Constitution, as enshrined in Article 8 (equality before the law) and Article 12 (equality in the administration of education). The group, which comprises prominent retired civil servants, noted that the nation's ambition to become a high-income, innovation-driven economy hinges on consistent implementation of policies. "Without firm political commitment to tackle systemic corruption, there's a risk of disconnection between policy intent and reality on the ground," it said. The group also warned that economic advancement must be matched by improvements in governance and civil liberties. Emphasising the importance of civil society, the G25 group urged the government to foster open dialogue. "Public trust in the government is strengthened when dissent is not feared but welcomed, and when democratic institutions demonstrate their independence and integrity," said G25. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who first raised the issue, said he was not alone in his concerns about admissions into public universities. "G25 shares my apprehension about the commercialisation of these institutions, where the rich can enrol in public universities as long as they can afford the high tuition fees. "This could impact access for less affluent Malaysian students despite their academic excellence," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday. He noted this was reminiscent of the Rakan KKM policy, where money allows one to skip the queue for medical treatment. "Kudos to G25 for their courage in speaking the truth," added Dr Wee. On Wednesday, Dr Wee reiterated his concerns about the sharp rise in foreign student enrolment at Malaysia's public universities, which outpaces that of local students. While not against the intake of international students, Dr Wee said it becomes an issue when their enrolment seems to take up spots meant for Malaysian students. In response, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir denied the allegation, saying the government continued to prioritise Malaysians with no compromise on the quota for local students in public universities.
New Straits Times
01-08-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
MOH outlines RM40 billion plan to strengthen healthcare under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is committed to strengthening Malaysia's healthcare service delivery and enhancing digitalisation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), backed by a RM40 billion allocation. With 1.6 per cent increase from the previous plan, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry fully supports the Madani government's vision of building a more sustainable and resilient national healthcare system, anchored by five pillars under the health reform strategy. He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah and the Economy Ministry for their leadership in shaping the 13MP. "Among the key reforms is the strengthening of health financing and governance, including the expansion of the Rakan KKM initiative as an additional option for paid elective treatment in public health facilities. "The ministry will also introduce a basic private health insurance/takaful product by December, conduct a study towards the establishment of a national health fund, optimisation of health tax mechanisms and expansion of high-value outsourcing initiatives," he said in a press conference here today after launching Op Selamat Paru-Paru. The second pillar, he said, focuses on enhancing health promotion and security by cultivating a health-literate society and encouraging behavioural change for healthier living. He said the ministry would also ramp up preparedness for health emergencies and disease control, including the formation of a dedicated health disaster task force, increased focus on rare diseases and preparations for an ageing population. On empowering the healthcare service delivery ecosystem, Dzulkefly said the ministry would develop a national framework for workforce professional development and boost talent capacity. This includes integrating cluster hospitals with primary healthcare services and investing in high-impact medical research and innovation. "We will also strengthen the "one individual, one record" as the foundation of a digital health system and generate high-impact health analytics with artificial intelligence support. "The ministry will also enhance the national regulatory system for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and increase the production capacity of local manufacturers, among other measures," he said. The 13MP is a key policy document that will guide Malaysia's policies over the next five years, involving a budget of RM611 billion. The 13MP, covering 2026 to 2030, sets out progressive and realistic objectives to spur economic growth, raise household incomes and ensure inclusive development across all sectors.
Focus Malaysia
01-08-2025
- Health
- Focus Malaysia
Galen Centre: 13th Malaysia Plan needs more ambitious strategic vision for health
THE Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy has called for bolder reforms in the health sector under the 13th Malaysian Plan (13MP) tabled yesterday (July 31) in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Describing the current plan as 'underwhelming', its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said the 13MP falls short in the areas of healthcare financing, health workforce, outbreak preparedness and response, and non-communicable diseases. 'The gaps, fragility and reality of the healthcare system revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic years were supposed to help inform, guide and prepare the strategic vision of the 13MP,' he remarked. 'Instead, the 13MP does not acknowledge the rebuilding still needed, and the hard-won lessons bought at so much cost to lives and national wealth. For health, the 13MP proposed vision and reforms are simply not bold enough.' Azrul went on to criticise the current tax-funded healthcare system, calling it 'not sustainable', adding that reforming healthcare financing is critical and has to be done now. He also said the Rakan KKM programme, offering 'premium economy' services at selected public hospitals, and the proposed basic medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) product from the government were insufficient initiatives. 'What is needed is a compulsory National Health and Social Insurance to provide complementary funding to support health and aged care,' he stressed. 'Adopting a rate similar to SOCSO contributions, we could raise at least RM6 bil annually to complement the annual health allocation under the federal budget. 'With more of the population becoming older and needing specialised services, a portion could ensure that aged care is properly funded and sustained. It can provide a means to improve treatment options and a resource during times of crisis.' According to Azrul, the government should have also announced a health services commission under the 13MP, which would take over the task of managing public health workers from the public services department. 'This commission would potentially enhance governance, improve accountability, and better manage human resources, leading to improved service delivery, and stronger confidence by the public and healthcare workers,' he said. He said there was no clear vision or plan on how to stem the rise in non-communicable diseases, of which treating them takes up about 70% of the billions in Putrajaya's annual health expenditure. Azrul also said that failure to increase investment in effective treatments and care for NCDs could lead to more patients dying from sub-optimal treatment. 'The 13MP should represent a bold and ambitious vision to ensure that the country's healthcare system continues to be fit for purpose. 'Strategic actions in strengthening the healthcare workforce, reforming national health financing mechanisms, enhancing infectious disease preparedness, and dealing with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain imperative for the well-being and resilience of Malaysia's healthcare system. 'We cannot afford to be timid,' he added. Yesterday Anwar said Putrajaya will allocate RM40 bil for the health sector under the 13MP. He said in addition to building and upgrading health facilities in several states, a framework for professional development will be developed to ensure talent retention in the health sector. ‒ Aug 1, 2025 Main image: The Star
