The Sabah government must do more to make the state an attractive posting for medical officers, particularly those recruited from Peninsular Malaysia, says Warisan Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong.
He said the federal government’s recruitment of 750 permanent medical officer positions across Sabah and Sarawak would mean little if the employment package failed to persuade successful candidates to report for duty.
Wong said Sabah needed to address the reasons doctors were reluctant to take up postings in the state, including the cost of living, relocation expenses, accommodation and career prospects.
“Announcing 750 positions is one thing. Getting doctors to accept those positions and actually come to Sabah is another,” he said.
He was responding to concerns raised by medical professional groups over the proposed UD10 entry-level salary grade, as reported by Malaysiakini.
Wong cited the previous permanent posting exercise, which reportedly left Sabah with a shortfall of 245 medical officers, after 67% of replacement candidates from outside the state failed to report for duty.
He said the figures pointed to a recruitment and retention problem that could not be resolved simply by announcing more vacancies.
He also said some medical personnel from Peninsular Malaysia had reportedly visited Sabah to assess the cost of everyday goods, housing and essential services before deciding whether to accept postings.
“Some reportedly found the differences discouraging. This should be a clear signal to the Government that attracting doctors requires more than simply offering them a job,” he said.
Wong welcomed Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad’s reported willingness to review the employment package, but questioned what the GRS state government had done to push for better arrangements for Sabah.
He challenged the state administration to disclose whether it had proposed better pay arrangements for experienced doctors, restoration of the percentage-based Regional Incentive Payment (BIW), relocation assistance, staff accommodation and additional incentives for those serving in rural areas.
He also called on state Health Minister Julita Mojungki to explain whether the government was prepared to allocate its own funds to support such measures.
Although federal authorities determine civil service salary grades and medical appointments, Samuel said the state government should take a more active role in negotiating incentives and providing supplementary support.
“GRS cannot simply leave everything to Putrajaya. If Sabah needs more doctors, the State Government must be prepared to put forward concrete proposals and commit resources to make Sabah a more attractive place for medical professionals to serve,” he said.
Wong also sought details on how many of the 750 positions would go to Sabah, which hospitals would receive the placements and how the authorities would ensure successful candidates reported for duty.
He said the exercise should ultimately be judged by the number of doctors who came to Sabah and remained in service, rather than the number of positions announced.
