MOH Conducting Maldistribution Studies On Permanent Placement Of Medical Officers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting maldistribution studies to scrutinise the placement of medical officers at health facilities nationwide, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

For example, he said the MOH had offered 650 permanent positions in Sabah and Sarawak, but nearly 600 medical officers submitted appeal letters to be released from their postings in both states.

"Only seven medical officers clicked on the permanent positions.. So, how can we help and uphold the rights of the people of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan? Should we place all medical officers in the Klang Valley or urban areas only?

"We must consider the human rights of all Malaysians appropriately. Nonetheless, we are working on ways to increase the number of permanent positions for deserving medical officers,” he said.

He said this when winding up the debate on the motion for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Meanwhile, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Gig Workers Bill 2025, scheduled to be tabled during this sitting, specifically emphasises four main components - the definition of gig workers, income, dispute resolution mechanism and social security.

He said the bill introduces a structured dispute resolution mechanism as an official channel for gig workers to present any issues or unfairness regarding their services, thus allowing the complaints to be addressed systematically.

"The dispute resolution process can be done through several stages, namely through internal mechanisms, conciliation proceedings, and, if unresolved, it can be brought before the gig worker tribunal,” he said when winding up the debate on the report for the ministry.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, meanwhile, said the ministry is ready to study the feasibility of regulating e-hailing fares based on the findings and recommendations of the Klang Valley Land Public Transport Strategic Plan (PSPALK), which is expected to be finalised at the end of this year.

He also said that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and Bank Negara Malaysia are carrying out a short-term one-off study with e-hailing licence holders, which will be completed in September, to identify daily insurance solutions or any form of insurance that is more flexible and affordable for drivers.

"For p-hailing services, meanwhile, no specific insurance protection plan has been created for the segment, but the Transport Ministry is coordinating efforts with the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) and Bank Negara to draft and establish a special insurance protection code for p-hailing activities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA