KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — Malaysia has a shortfall of about 5,900 veterinarians, as the country only has around 2,600 active veterinarians compared to 8,500 needed, said the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
The Star reported DVS director-general Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron as saying that Malaysia has about one veterinarian for every 13,700 people, far worse than the international benchmark of one to 5,000 people.
“This statistic signals that the national need is way above the current capacity,” he was quoted as saying at the Veterinary Day 2026 celebration in Cyberjaya today.
The DVS DG noted that only iPutra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan offer veterinary doctor programmes. Both universities can only produce between 180 to 220 graduates annually.
Management & Science University (MSU), he said, was the latest to launch a veterinary doctor programme last August.
“The challenge of hiring new officers is becoming more apparent, especially when graduates prefer to enter the private sector with better perks. This matter must be addressed in a more strategic manner to ensure the civil [service] remains competitive and relevant,” said Dr Mohd Noor Hisham.
“This is because the farming sector requires comprehensive monitoring at every level of production for the sustainability, efficiency and standards compliance of the industry.”
