20/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 20, 2025

3 Systemic overhaul needed to reform healthcare

EPF advises against lump sum withdrawals KUALA LUMPUR: The practice of lump sum retirement withdrawals may jeopardise long-term financial security and increase the risk of retirees outliving their savings, said Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chief executive officer Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn. He said only a small proportion of EPF members currently meet the basic savings threshold, while over 58% of working-age Malaysians are not contributing to any formal retirement scheme. “If Malaysia is serious about preparing for a 100-year life, we must rethink how we work, save, engage and care,” Bernama reported him as saying. Ahmad Zulqarnain said EPF is exploring enhanced accumulation strategies, including structured monthly withdrawal options, to help members manage longevity risks and ensure the sustainability of their retirement savings. “We are intensifying efforts to promote retirement literacy, particularly among youth, informal workers and vulnerable groups, to build a culture of long-term saving and informed financial decision-making.” Ahmad Zulqarnain said this during his closing remarks at the International Social Wellbeing Conference 2025, themed ‘Living to a Hundred: Are We Prepared?’ held on Wednesday. As Malaysians live and work longer, he said the country must align the full EPF withdrawal age with the national minimum retirement age to ensure a more coherent and secure transition into later life. Private, public sectors to use DRG model KUALA LUMPUR: The Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) payment model will be imposed on both public and private healthcare providers, with particular emphasis on the private sector, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He was replying to claims that the DRG would only be applied to public healthcare providers. “It is about the most standardised, fair and equitable (framework), so of course, both public and private, particularly private, because we want to contain medical inflation in the private sector,” he told reporters after a panel discussion at Bank Negara Malaysia’s Sasana Symposium 2025 on Wednesday. Dzulkefly said the first phase of the DRG system, which focuses on minor illnesses in hospitals, is expected to be implemented by the end of this year. It aims at enhancing transparency in patient treatment charges and addressing the rising cost of healthcare, which is a key factor contributing to the increase in medical insurance premiums. – Bernama

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Experts warn only transformative action can rescue strained and inefficient medical system, while calling for transparency, equity and firm oversight

certificate programmes will take place on July 27-28 at 36 polytechnics and 103 community colleges nationwide. “For those who were unsuccessful or received certificate-level offers through the UPUOnline system, appeal applications can be submitted via upu.mohe.gov.my. “For those who applied through the MyPolyCC eBorang system may submit their appeal applications via ambilan.mypolycc.edu.my.” – Bernama He stressed that reaching underserved groups must be a key priority. “Private hospitals receiving tax incentives should be required to provide affordable care quotas. We must also expand telemedicine, mobile services and subsidies for rural patients.” Azrul added that small but visible steps could quickly build public trust in the reform effort, such as mandatory itemised billing and a national online platform for patients to report billing complaints. Echoing his concerns, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said Malaysians are facing a dual crisis: spiralling private healthcare costs and overwhelmed public facilities. “One of the most pressing issues is rising private healthcare costs, where patients are billed without clarity and exposed to unchecked price hikes.” Saravanan noted that medical inflation in Malaysia is among the highest in the region, yet there is no legal mechanism to regulate it or even public data to justify the increases. “Procedures, room charges, consultation fees and medications must be disclosed and regulated. Itemised bills should be mandatory.” He also called for a national database of verified healthcare pricing and tighter control over insurance premiums. “Healthcare must be governed by strong public policy. Patients, not profits, must be at the centre.” He proposed the creation of a permanent Consumer Health Advisory Council and digital feedback mechanisms to ensure that reforms are informed by the public’s live experiences. “Fomca also backs the idea of a national health insurance scheme, provided it includes robust protections, such as subsidies for the B40 and M40 income groups and oversight by an independent, non-political body. “The government must prioritise rural infrastructure, expand mobile clinics and offer incentives for healthcare workers. Healthcare is a public right. “Without legislation and enforcement, aspirations won’t translate into impact. “It’s time for the government to lead, not just manage,” he added.

PETALING JAYA: With Malaysia’s healthcare system under mounting strain, health experts and consumer advocates are calling on the government to deliver bold, systemic reforms – not just promises. They say only transformative change can address a system burdened by rising costs, limited access and uneven accountability. “It can’t be another symbolic gesture,” said Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib. “Superficial adjustments won’t be enough, we need real reform to ensure every Malaysian has fair and affordable access to healthcare.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced that the government would form a high-level task force – comprising representatives from the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry and Bank Negara – to implement bold reforms to fix long-standing inefficiencies in Malaysia’s healthcare system. Azrul stressed that entrenched

Azrul also urged a complete overhaul of healthcare financing, pointing out that Malaysia’s health expenditure remains below global benchmarks. “The task force should push for a national health and social insurance model with pooled contributions from employers and employees. “This would reduce out-of-pocket spending, protect households from catastrophic bills and ensure cost-sharing across the system.” Azrul recommended setting clear key performance indicators requiring regular public updates and mandating independent audits. He also called for parliamentary oversight and the involvement of civil society to ensure transparency and policy continuity.

problems, such as fragmented services, opaque pricing and under regulated private sector players require sweeping and urgent measures. “The committee should urgently tackle inefficiencies by enforcing price transparency in private hospitals, standardising medical fees and introducing value-based payment systems such as the Diagnosis-Related Group model.” He warned that disjointed data systems between the public and private sectors have led to duplicated services and unnecessary spending, and called for tighter digital integration and regulation of third party administrators, insurers and private providers to eliminate hidden mark-ups.

Health experts say problems such as fragmented services, opaque pricing and under-regulated private sector players require sweeping and urgent reforms. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

More than 62,000 SPM holders offered places in polytechnics, colleges KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 62,485 SPM holders have received offers to pursue diploma, certificate and foundation programmes at polytechnics nationwide. Additionally, the Polytechnic and Community College Education programmes at polytechnics and community colleges,” it said in a statement. Brighter Future Yayasan Tenaga Nasional scholarship.

The ministry added that those who wish to accept the offers must complete the verification process by June 25 via ambilan.mypolycc.edu.my, after which they can print their offer letters. The registration date for new students in the foundation programme is set for July 7, while registration for the diploma and

In addition, 43 candidates were offered places in five special certificate programmes at polytechnics, specifically designed for special needs students with hearing and learning disabilities. A total of 3,861 candidates also received study offers with sponsorships from the ministry, Public Service Department and the My

Department has offered 360 special needs students from Sarawak the opportunity to enrol in three engineering certificate programmes at Mukah Polytechnic, Sarawak. “Meanwhile, 1,554 SPM (not current year) and non-SPM holders who applied through the MyPolyCC eForm were also offered places to pursue diploma and certificate

polytechnics and community colleges for the 2025/2026 Session I intake, through the UPUOnline application system. The Higher Education Ministry said for the current session, a total of 2,288 students have been offered places to pursue the Foundation in Engineering Technology programme at 10