MMA president Dr R Thirunavukarasu said the current policy prohibiting relocation claims had made doctors reluctant to accept postings in the state, as moving costs could easily reach several thousand ringgit.

“Many doctors face significant personal and financial difficulties when relocating, including travel expenses, housing, and family separation. They need stronger support,” he told FMT.

“The reduction of regional allowance payments under the Sistem Saraan Perkhidmatan Awam for Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan by up to 60% has also made such transfers less appealing.”

Thirunavukarasu said the situation had created a substantial income gap between doctors already serving in the region and those newly transferred there.

He urged the government to reinstate relocation and travel claims to ease the financial burden on doctors assigned to Sarawak and Sabah.

He also said that relocation to another state could disrupt doctors’ specialist training trajectory, as many who have completed their postgraduate entry exams are reassigned to unrelated departments in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The health ministry must ensure that those serving in Sarawak and Sabah are not disadvantaged in their career development, especially as Malaysia is facing a severe shortage of specialists.

“Moving far away from family and support networks is not easy. The personal sacrifices made by these doctors deserve greater understanding and support,” he said.

On Oct 7, Sarawak health minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said nearly 300 medical officers offered positions in the state had failed to report for duty before Oct 1.

He said the health ministry had offered 542 medical officer positions in Sarawak, but that 293 did not report, leaving around 1,100 vacancies for medical officers in the state.