13/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 13, 2025

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COMMENT by Rubana Vighnesvaran and Hanna Yahya

Making healthcare insurance affordable I N Malaysia, the steep increase in medical insurance premiums remains a pressing issue. Many individuals have been forced to Responsible usage and

giving them unchecked authority. In such a setting, assertive women are ridiculed, labelled as aggressive or unfeminine. Women who speak up are often dismissed as “too much” while men who display the same behaviour are praised as confident and courageous leaders. This double standards silence women and reinforces a culture where male dominance is normalised. In a masculine-driven culture, traits like aggression, control and emotional detachment are rewarded in boys. As a result, young boys grow up believing that exerting control over others, especially those perceived as weaker, is a sign of strength. They are conditioned to suppress empathy and are rarely given the language or space to express vulnerability. Consequently, some boys learn to exert their masculinity through harmful behaviours: bullying, sexual harassment and in extreme cases, sexual violence. This pattern must stop. We need to reshape the landscape in which our boys grow up and help them implementing healthier habits While medical insurance is designed to protect policyholders, it is fundamentally a business model where private insurance companies and agents derive income and profit. Hence, it operates on a shared risk system, where excessive claims contribute to rising premiums. While many claims are legitimate, policyholders can play a role in managing costs by seeking second opinions and opting for cost-effective treatments without compromising care. Understanding policy terms is also crucial in preventing disputes and ensuring informed decisions about available treatments. With heart diseases being responsible for 15.1% of deaths in Malaysia, it is one that is preventable through lifestyle changes. By adopting a proactive approach through healthier habits and routine screenings, policyholders can help mitigate the costs of insurance premiums by minimising claims. This benefits not only individuals and their families but also strengthens the overall sustainability of the insurance system. Regulation, incentives and public healthcare reform Our government also plays a crucial role in ensuring fair and stable insurance premiums. One effective strategy already in place is promoting preventive healthcare through tax incentives for screenings, vaccinations and active lifestyle habits. Insurance providers can complement these efforts by collaborating with health organisations and hospitals to

give up their policies while others must reassess their coverage to ensure affordability. This rise in premiums stems from multiple factors, including rising healthcare costs, annual medical inflation, overutilisation, increased claims post-pandemic, overcharging by healthcare providers and fraudulent claims. Despite Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) direction to limit premium increases to 10% for policyholders, some health insurers have not fully complied with the interim cap, which raises concerns over rising premiums and charges of private hospitals. To further curb premium increases, co-payment measures were introduced by BNM as an option, where policyholders can reduce their monthly payments by covering a certain percentage or a fixed amount of hospital bills per year. However, as this concept is relatively new in the country, many remain hesitant as it necessitates setting aside funds for unexpected medical expenses. Most recently, BNM has been working with the Health Ministry and Employees Provident Fund to develop basic health insurance as well as value-based healthcare on takaful products. Addressing these challenges and ensuring sustainability requires a collective effort from policyholders, the government and healthcare providers. How can we ensure that healthcare, a fundamental necessity, remains affordable and sustainable for all Malaysians?

To ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible to all, balancing the needs of both public and private

healthcare systems is crucial. – SUNPIC

Adopting and adapting To achieve a more sustainable insurance system, Malaysia can learn from international best practices. An example would be Singapore’s universal healthcare system, which integrates three different components that encourage saving for routine care, insurance for larger expenses and funding from the government to support those in financial need. Germany’s hybrid public-private insurance model is also another example to consider as it requires employer and employee contributions to statutory health funds. This method helps to ensure affordability while maintaining flexibility as individuals earning below a certain threshold are insured by public insurance while higher earners have the option of private insurance. The shared financial responsibility helps prevent excessive

spaces for boys to talk. Many boys carry pain, confusion and pressure but are told to “man up”. If we can provide environments where boys can share, ask questions and learn from one another, we can build emotional intelligence and empathy – key ingredients of respectful behaviour. The work of promoting positive masculinity is not just about boys and men. It is about creating a culture where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive without fear of being bullied, silenced or violated. By reshaping our cultural narratives and expectations, we can give our boys the tools they need to become men who uplift, protect and value others. Let us begin in our homes, schools and workplaces. Let us redefine what it means to be a man – not through power over others but through how well we respect and care for those around us. DrAsma Abdullah is an interculturalist, trainer and coach. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com costs and ensures comprehensive coverage for all legal residents. Implementing similar strategic reforms in Malaysia will take time and effort but ensuring affordability and accessibility to healthcare must be a national priority. Malaysia’s rising insurance premiums demand a coordinated effort from policyholders, the government and healthcare providers. By learning from global models and adapting various strategies to Malaysia’s healthcare landscape, we can work towards a fairer, more transparent and sustainable insurance premium for all. Rubana Vighnesvaran and Hanna Yahya serve as programme directors for the Diploma in Business and Diploma in Accounting at the School of Diploma and Professional Studies, Taylor’s College. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

incentivise who maintain healthy habits, such as achieving daily step goals or undergoing regular health screenings. Furthermore, enforcing medical billing transparency by standardising treatment costs and regulating medical inflation can prevent overcharging and discrepancies. For instance, implementing price controls on essential drugs and treatments can help curb excessive costs. It is also crucial for hospitals to prioritise patient care with quality treatment alongside financial sustainability, fostering long-term trust. It is essential to strengthen public healthcare services and resources. Without the needed enhancements, an overflow of patients into public hospitals may overwhelm the system. To ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible to all, balancing the needs of both public and private healthcare systems is crucial. policyholders

COMMENT by Dr Asma Abdullah

Rethinking masculinity: Educating boys to respect, not dominate IF I were to put on my cultural cap, I would say that much of the bullying and troubling behaviour we see in schools, homes and workplaces stems from deeply embedded societal structures. Ours is a society shaped by hierarchy, patriarchy and a understand that strength comes not from dominance but from respect, empathy and self-awareness. One way forward is through the active promotion of positive masculinity – an approach that celebrates the best qualities in boys and men while challenging harmful behaviours and attitudes. opportunity. Boys must be explicitly taught that respect is non negotiable, consent is not a grey area and true strength means looking out for others, not overpowering them.

We need role models – male teachers, fathers, coaches and community leaders – who can walk the talk. Boys mirror what they see. If the men in their lives treat women as equals, express their emotions healthily and speak out against injustice, boys are more likely to adopt the same values. Schools and communities should also adopt policies that do not tolerate bullying and harassment, no matter who commits it. When senior boys bully their juniors, it should not be dismissed as “boys being boys”. There must be consequences, but more importantly, there must be opportunities for learning and reform. Restorative justice practices, for instance, can help victims and perpetrators understand the impact of their actions. Equally important is creating safe

masculine-driven worldview. These cultural dimensions – while often invisible – set the tone for how people behave, how they treat one another and who gets to be heard. In hierarchical cultures, power is unevenly distributed. Those in senior positions often feel entitled to dominate or control others. This dynamics is especially apparent in schools, where senior boys frequently bully younger ones. The rite of passage becomes one of intimidation rather than mentorship. Because these behaviours are often tolerated, excused or ignored, a dangerous message is passed on: power gives you the right to dominate. Patriarchy reinforces this further. It places men – particularly adult men – at the top of the social order, often

What is positive masculinity? It involves teaching boys that they do not need to suppress their emotions to be “manly”. It emphasises responsibility, compassion, integrity and the strength to stand up against peer pressure. Boys should be encouraged to listen, to question injustice and to treat all people, regardless of gender, with respect. This should start early. In schools, there must be structured conversations about gender roles, power dynamics and consent. Too often, discussions on sexual harassment and respect are only directed at girls – teaching them to protect themselves – while boys are left out of the conversation altogether. This is a missed