Health care workers ask for better pay. “Please refer to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).”
Meaningful allowances? “Please refer to the Public Service Department (JPA).”
Then what exactly becomes faster with the proposed Health Service Commission (SPK) – the solution, or the referral?
The Malaysiakini headline featuring Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran raises the prospect of a “toothless” commission. CodeBlue’s report identifies the underlying concern: SPK would not create posts or set remuneration. Those powers remain with JPA and the MOF.
The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) own graphics confirm that division.
Appointments, promotions, and transfers matter. A dedicated commission could improve them. But those functions alone cannot deliver a comprehensive remuneration and retention strategy.
SPK must be given meaningful authority to decide health care salary and allowance arrangements within an approved funding framework.
That is the reform being demanded. It is a policy proposal, not a power the commission already possesses.
The government should establish the necessary legal authority and financial delegation, with a negotiated budget, transparent pay criteria, independent audit, and parliamentary scrutiny.
MOF can retain oversight of overall expenditure while SPK receives defined authority over health care remuneration within that envelope.
Budget discipline does not require every meaningful workforce decision to remain permanently beyond the commission’s reach.
If the government rejects that model, explain why and demonstrate an alternative that can deliver equally timely, binding decisions.
Otherwise, SPK risks becoming the “Please Refer Elsewhere Commission” – or, as the familiar bureaucratic refrain goes, “Suruhanjaya Sila Rujuk” – sufficiently empowered to administer the workforce, but insufficiently empowered to address a central reason people consider leaving.
Congratulations. The file gets a new office. The doctor gets another explanation.
YB Dzulkefly Ahmad, grow a backbone at the negotiating table.
Nobody expects unlimited spending. We expect a minister to negotiate powers and resources proportionate to the problem.
JPA and MOF are not foreign governments. “Outside SPK’s jurisdiction” cannot become “outside the government’s responsibility.”
Meanwhile, MOH declares that health care workers’ welfare is being “dilonjak”.
Excellent, but please show the results.
The ministry cites 13,343 approved additional posts. How many are occupied? Where have staff reported? Which shortages have narrowed?
An approved position cannot cover tonight’s ward. A person can.
MOH also cites more than 15,000 permanent appointments since 2023 and 9,000 for 2027. Publish the breakdown, distinguishing completed appointments from future commitments.
Permanent status improves security. But converting an existing contract doctor does not automatically add another colleague. The appointment letter changes. Does the workload?
The promise to end the contract-doctor system needs written rules covering existing officers, current housemanship cohorts and future entrants. Earlier contract cohorts also deserve a review of any policy-caused progression disadvantage and appropriate redress.
On pay, citing the 2025 ETAP increase and RM200 post-basic allowance establishes that revisions occurred. It does not establish adequacy. “Already increased” cannot end every discussion about whether compensation matches the work.
Health care workers need a funded salary review across professions, stronger specialist incentives and recognition of consultant responsibilities.
For medical officers, adopt the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) proposed RM25 hourly on-call rate: RM600 for 24 qualifying hours, separate from basic salary, with clear payment rules and funding.
Payment must accompany protected rest, pregnancy safeguards, training access and fair progression.
A permanent letter cannot replace sleep. Meeting minutes cannot pay for child care. Karipap may sustain the discussion; they will not sustain the workforce.
The minister says welfare improvements need not wait for SPK. Good. Publish immediate decisions while negotiating the commission’s substantive powers.
Give SPK authority to decide remuneration within clear financial limits – not merely permission to recommend it indefinitely. Then measure results through retention, filled vacancies, career progression and compliance with welfare protections.
YB, the graphics department has delivered.
Now deliver a commission with the authority, funding and accountability to do its job.
The author is a specialist doctor in the Ministry of Health. CodeBlue is providing the author anonymity because civil servants are prohibited from writing to the press.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
