Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said complaints could be made directly to the ministry or to the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), and this would enable the authorities to investigate the matter.

Firm action would be taken against clinics that were found to be involved in such practices, he added.

“The ministry views the issue seriously,” he said at a news conference after officiating at a ‘Kampungku Sihat’ (my healthy village) function here.

Dzulkefly said the public could file their complaints via [email protected].

Local media reported today that private clinics have been imposing additional charges of up to 10% to health insurance policyholders while prices of medicines are almost 90% higher compared with those without insurance.