{
  "id": 17727899,
  "title": "KKM kekurangan 1,176 pemandu, termasuk ambulans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/kkm-kekurangan-1-176-pemandu-termasuk-ambulans",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T01:56:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/11/02/kkm-kekurangan-1-176-pemandu-kenderaan-termasuk-ambulans"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) anticipates a shortage of 1,176 vehicle drivers, including ambulance drivers, until April next year. As of September 30, only 7,687 out of 8,863 auxiliary services (Pemanduan) positions have been filled, with the highest vacancy recorded across Peninsular Malaysia at 1,003 drivers, followed by Sarawak (92), Sabah (73), and Labuan (8). This shortage stems from delays in filling auxiliary services positions resulting from a temporary pause in recruitment by the Public Service Department (JPA) via the Public Service Commission (SPA) in 2024. The ministry attributes this delay to the transition to the newly introduced Public Service Assessment System (SSPA). Under the new system, driver services under the Malaysia Service Assessment Scheme are integrated into a new auxiliary services (Pemanduan) classification under Performance-based Skills (H). This change necessitates rigorous assessment of qualifications to ensure candidates are truly suitable and competent for the driving function, particularly for ambulance drivers, as reported by The Star. Additionally, the new system encourages diversification of duties, multi-skills, and multi-tasking. On October 16, The Star reported KKM's shortage of ambulance drivers across all government facilities following the announcement of 400 new ambulances in the 2027 budget. Reostam Dzahar, President of the KKM Auxiliary Services Association for Peninsular Malaysia, urged KKM to urgently address the driver shortage, warning of the risk of overwork leading to burnout among drivers who are forced to exceed set time limits. The ministry stated that recruitment should take into account the shortage, attrition, and pension-related needs of employees, as well as operational requirements. The ministry expects a phased recruitment of auxiliary services (Pemanduan) to be carried out starting April next year, based on the SPA's processing status and completion of the new driver competency test (UKP) on October 27. Recruitment will be phased starting April 2027, subject to the resolution of recruitment issues by SPA. In response to the SSPA implementation, KKM stated the need to harmonize task requirements and placement arrangements to segregate duty scopes between auxiliary services (Pemanduan) and general services (Am). For example, if an auxiliary service (Am) is needed for a specific government facility, it will depend on input from the State Health Department or department head, subject to service requirements, driver tests, and competence. For auxiliary services (Pemanduan), this role encompasses managing vehicle services prior to SSPA, with a focus on vehicle services and departmental security, including ambulances at each placement center. The general services (Am) role is focused on supporting non-driving tasks according to department needs, including personnel from the operational support and general services departments before SSPA implementation.",
  "summary": "Ia akibat kelewatan mengisi jawatan pembantu khidmat am (Pemanduan) susulan penangguhan urusan pengambilan oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam pada 2024.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}