Health ministry approves relocation claims for doctors posted to East Malaysia

The health ministry in Malaysia has approved relocation allowances for medical officers transferred to East Malaysia, following reports that nearly three-quarters of those posted to Sabah and Sarawak did not report for duty on September 28. The issue has been fully resolved, with approval from the finance ministry and the public service department.

The approvals will apply to permanent appointees from the 2025 cohort, as well as those made in 2026 and onwards, according to Berita Harian. The Malaysian Medical Association had previously called for the government to review incentives for doctors posted in East Malaysia, citing the high non-reporting rate. MMA president Dr L Sivanaesan urged the government to provide relocation assistance before doctors relocated, rather than through a lengthy claims process months later.

The health ministry oversees and allocates postings, and contract medical officers appointed permanently are now required to select at least one posting in Sabah, Sarawak, or Labuan through the ePlacement system. Additionally, the waiting period for medical graduate training placements has been reduced to two months, from over 10 months previously.