KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The Johor state government is paying for the services of locum doctors at the emergency departments of Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru Hospital (HSAJB) and Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) in the state capital.
A person posted on Facebook last Wednesday a photograph of a bunting in the emergency department of an unnamed government hospital that depicted Johor state health and environment executive councillor Ling Tian Soon with the words: “You’re now being treated by the Johor state government’s locum doctors”.
“To reduce congestion and waiting times in the green zone of hospital emergency departments, the state government is paying for additional doctors for hospital emergency departments – with cooperation from KPJ Healthcare and Waqaf An-Nur,” read the bunting.
KPJ Healthcare Berhad is a private hospital operator owned by Johor Corporation, the state investment arm, whereas Waqaf An-Nur Corporation Berhad is a company limited by guarantee appointed by the Johor state Islamic council.
The Johor state government’s Budget 2026 tabled last November allocated RM2.8 million for extended operations of selected public health clinics and additional locum doctors at the emergency units of HSAJB and HSI.
When contacted, Ling said most of the doctors providing additional locum services are existing government doctors.
“Most of the doctors are from HSA and HSI,” he told CodeBlue.
The state government transferred funding to Waqaf An-Nur, a foundation under Johor Corporation and KPJ, after which Waqaf An-Nur pays doctors locum payments.
It’s unclear how using existing doctors in public hospitals addresses manpower constraints, though they may get payments faster from a company compared to government.
