More doctors posted to Sabah, Sarawak as ministry raises quota

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has increased the quota for medical officers in Sabah and Sarawak to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the two East Malaysian states.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the allocation for the two states was higher than that of Peninsular Malaysia to ensure more balanced access to healthcare services.

“As of Oct 17, 2025, the Health Ministry has offered permanent appointments to 1,315 medical officers for placements in Sabah and Sarawak.

“This includes 550 positions in Sabah and 765 in Sarawak.

“Of that total, only 616 medical officers, or 47 per cent, have agreed to accept the offer and reported for duty,” he said during his winding-up speech on the 2026 Budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) and Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru), who had raised concerns over the shortage of medical staff in the two states.

Dzulkefly said candidates were also given three placement options, with one of them required to be Labuan, Sabah, or Sarawak to ensure sufficient staffing across all healthcare facilities.

He said the ministry would continue monitoring the situation closely and explore incentives to encourage more medical officers to serve in East Malaysia.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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