KUCHING: Malaysia must improve the remuneration of medical professionals to prevent worsening brain drain, especially in Sarawak and Sabah, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He stressed that it is no longer realistic to expect doctors to remain in the country under the outdated notion of “cheap and good” in 2025.
He said doctors spend six years in university and at least seven years to specialise, yet face financial struggles despite the strengthening Ringgit.
“Sarawak is rapidly ageing and will be the first in Malaysia to become an ageing society by 2028. With a declining birth rate, we need doctors more than ever.
“Given the financial, training and job satisfaction opportunities abroad, the brain drain to other countries, especially from Sabah and Sarawak, will only get worse unless we act now and pay better,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dr Sim noted Sarawak currently has about 4,000 doctors, below the Malaysia standard of 6,000 for 2025, with 2,000 of them from West Malaysia.
Although Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) produces about 150 medical graduates yearly, he said it would take more than 10 years to meet the national ratio even if all stayed.
He also acknowledged the issue of retiring doctors, which adds pressure on Sarawak’s strained public healthcare system.
As such, Dr Sim commended the Sarawak government for recognising the need to pay public servants better, including medical professionals.
“For the first time, Sarawak Public Service received a two-month bonus in December 2024 and a monthly allowance in 2025 totalling three months,” he added.
He pledged continued efforts with the Health Ministry and federal government under Article 95C of the Constitution to achieve Sarawak health autonomy.
Dr Sim said the impact of current decisions will only be seen in five to 10 years, urging swift action to avoid future regret.
“Act now. There’s no point regretting it 10 years later when all we can do is just watch. By then, it will be too late for our public hospital system,” he stressed.
