Full relocation allowance for doctors posted to Sabah, Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has approved full relocation allowances for medical officers posted to Sabah and Sarawak to support their welfare and facilitate cross-regional placements.

In a statement today, the ministry said the approval was among its strategic initiatives to ensure financial constraints no longer burden health workers receiving postings across regions.

"The government is deeply concerned about the financial challenges faced by health workers.

"With the approval of the Finance Ministry and Public Service Department (PSD), the issue of relocation cost claims has been fully resolved, beginning with the 2025 permanent appointment cohort.

"The Health Ministry has also secured approval for the same benefit to continue for 2026 appointments and beyond," it said.

The clarification follows social media posts claiming that some doctors were facing difficulties reporting for duty in Sabah and Sarawak after allegedly being denied the right to claim relocation costs.

The ministry said the benefit was also in line with the 20 Madani Government Initiatives for the Welfare of Health Ministry Personnel, under which officers who are converted to permanent status are eligible to claim the full relocation allowance.

Meanwhile, the ministry said the shortage of doctors and uneven distribution of medical officers at health facilities could be addressed after it was given autonomy by PSD to manage and distribute posts.

"Through this important step, the issue can be reduced in stages.

"The government has also taken several long-term measures, including offering permanent appointments to 4,500 contract medical officers this year," it said.

In addition, the ministry has required contract medical officers who receive permanent appointments to choose at least one posting in Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan through improvements to the ePlacement system, beginning last year.

"This initiative is aimed at addressing doctor shortages in certain areas.

"Meanwhile, the waiting period for placement in the medical graduate training programme has also been shortened to two months from more than 10 months previously," it said.

The implementation of the 20 Madani Government Initiatives for the Welfare of Health Ministry Personnel 2026 will also continue to be strengthened to safeguard the welfare, career security and working environment of the country's health workers.

"Among them is the phasing out of the contract doctor system, with contract doctors to be absorbed into permanent positions in stages by 2028.

"In addition, 18,755 permanent positions covering medical, pharmacy and dental officers have been filled," it said.