News of the promised increase in on-call allowances has yet to be implemented, despite being announced twice last year, has angered doctors in Malaysia.
The government doctors’ section of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the Ministry of Health to fulfill the promise made in the 2025 Budget, where the on-call allowance is said to be increased by between RM55 and RM65.
After the first announcement of the promise was made last February, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad asked all parties involved to be patient for notification of the implementation of the effort.
However, almost two weeks into 2025, the announcement has continued to ‘disappear’ without any further notice.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the trainee officers, medical officers and specialists (Schomos) section worried that without any further notice regarding this promise, more medical specialists would leave government service.
The new allowance announced is expected to increase the 24-hour active call allowance on weekdays from RM200 to around RM250, an increase of about 25%.
MMA Schomos warned that further delays could worsen the staffing crisis in the Malaysian healthcare system.
Is this announcement a sweet promise or just a rumor that is further eroding public trust?
