{
  "id": 12638360,
  "title": "KKM cadang wajibkan insurans untuk pelarian, pemohon suaka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/kkm-cadang-wajibkan-insurans-untuk-pelarian-pemohon-suaka",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-07T13:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/07/kkm-cadang-wajibkan-insurans-untuk-pelarian-pemohon-suaka"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) is proposing that health insurance be made mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers registered under the Alien Registration System (DPP) to help cover the costs of their medical care and prevent new cases of untreated patients. Health Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib informed the Dewan Rakyat that the proposal applies to refugees and asylum seekers registered under the DPP. Over 80% of the backlog in treatment costs involves non-citizens, primarily due to undocumented migrants or unregistered individuals. However, the minister emphasized that the government must still ensure that every patient receives medical care, especially for emergency cases. \"This step aligns with the Geneva Declaration, the Hippocratic Oath, and the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978,\" she said while presenting the National Auditor's Report on KKM's finances. Hanifah noted that the total number of accounts not yet received by the ministry decreased from RM359 million in 2024 to RM336 million in 2025, a decrease of RM23 million or 6.4%. She also pointed out that unpaid medical bills involve non-citizens, not only due to weak referral systems but also financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage, patients leaving healthcare facilities without payment, and incomplete or inaccurate personal identification and contact information. KKM's efforts to track down delinquent patients include issuing multiple warning letters, sending court summons or notices, contacting the patient's embassy or heirs, demanding payment from employers, and working with NGOs to help cover unpayable bills. The ministry is also strengthening its enforcement approach by mandating deposits and installment payments during treatment, expanding cashless payment options, and enhancing monitoring of delinquent accounts. Hanifah stated that cooperation with employers, insurance companies, and NGOs is being intensified, while the value of bank guarantees linked to employers and private companies will be increased in line with rising medical costs.",
  "summary": "Langkah ini bagi menampung kos rawatan, bendung tunggakan bil perubatan pesakit bukan warganegara, kata timbalan menteri.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "KKM cadang wajibkan insurans untuk pelarian, pemohon suaka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/kkm-cadang-wajibkan-insurans-untuk-pelarian-pemohon-suaka-12639412",
        "published": "2026-10-07T13:06:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}