KUCHING: A senator has proposed a one-off car tax exemption for doctors serving in Sabah and Sarawak to help tackle the severe shortage of medical staff in the two states.
Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran told the Dewan Negara that the government needs to think “outside the box” to encourage healthcare professionals to accept postings in East Malaysia.
He noted that many doctors currently reject these placements or even resign from government service if they are not allowed to stay in Peninsular Malaysia.
“The government must think outside the box to retain these professionals, as monetary benefits ultimately influence whether they stay or leave. Asking them merely to remain in service for the country may not be enough,” he was quoted as saying in an FMT report.
Lingeshwaran highlighted that the shortage is particularly critical among specialists, with some patients in Sarawak and Sabah forced to wait up to six months for an appointment.
As official salary scales are strictly regulated by the Public Service Department (JPA), he suggested that the federal and state governments should work together to offer these alternative financial incentives.
In addition to car tax exemptions, he proposed that the Sabah and Sarawak state governments consider allocating their own funds to provide special service allowances for doctors stationed in the region.
