03/04/2026

FRIDAY | APR 3, 2026

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GP fee overhaul aims to sustain primary care

Job seekers invited to Perak career carnival IPOH: The public, especially job seekers, are invited to attend the MYFutureJobs Perak Lindung Career Carnival in conjunction with the Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2026 Perak, which will take place from today to April 5 at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Meru Raya. The Social Security Organisation said in a Facebook post a wide range of job opportunities, open interview sessions and career services will be available at the carnival. Participating employers include Top Glove Corporation Bhd, KNL Foundry Sdn Bhd, Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Carsem (M) Sdn Bhd, Coherent Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Kamaya Electric Sdn Bhd, JK Wire Harness Sdn Bhd and Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd. Other employers offering vacancies include Quality Reputation Sdn Bhd, Wei Dat Steel Sdn Bhd, Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd, Live Blitz Sdn Bhd and Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (Proton). Positions available include production operator, technician, supervisor, executive secretary, test product engineer, executive planner, manufacturing technician, maintenance engineer, equipment engineer, test planner, general worker, operations assistant and technical assistant. Other vacancies include live host, graphic designer, digital marketing executive, clerk and cashier, welder, fitter, grinder, marker, cutter, fairer, helper fairer, blaster painter and foreman. Those interested can register at www.myfuturejobs.gov.mycareerfair and are advised to bring the required documents to the carnival. The programme returns this year with its first location in Perak, offering direct service delivery initiatives and programmes that benefit the public, with the Housing and Local Government Ministry as the lead ministry. Throughout the three-day event, a variety of activities will be held, including government services, people’s well-being initiatives, health services, Rahmah Madani Sales and Agro Madani Sales. There will also be a food festival and local entrepreneur sales, a helmet exchange programme, free motorcycle engine oil changes, free haircut services, distribution of seeds and saplings, defence and security asset exhibitions as well as various family-oriented activities. – Bernama Pahang targets price gap with new farm hub KUANTAN: The Pahang government will set up a vegetable wholesale hub in Cameron Highlands to reduce farmers’ reliance on middlemen believed to be controlling market prices. State Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang said this follows complaints from farmers receiving as little as 20 sen per kilogramme for some produce. “Previously, they could earn more than RM1 for about 15 types of vegetables, but now only two types fetch that price. Pricing is determined by wholesalers in Selayang,” he told reporters at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Administrative Centre. He added that the hub would enable farmers to market their produce directly, noting the Cameron Highlands district officer has been tasked with identifying a suitable site. Sim said the gap between farm and retail prices appears disproportionate, citing tomatoes that sell for low prices at farm level but reach about RM6.50 per kilogramme at retail, suggesting multiple layers of intermediaries. On traffic congestion in Kea Farm, he said personnel may be deployed to manage pedestrian movement and coordinate crossings from 8am to 7pm daily. – Bernama

o Flexible pricing to match complexity as doctors assure affordability remains priority: MMA president

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: A long-awaited revision to general practitioner consultation fees will introduce greater flexibility while safeguarding affordability, with doctors stressing the move is aimed at strengthening primary care rather than raising costs across the board. Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said the revised fee structure allows consultation fees to better reflect clinical complexity, market conditions and patient needs. He added that flexibility should not be misunderstood as a uniform increase and must be exercised with professional judgement while maintaining affordability for patients. “GPs remain the most accessible point of care in the system. Strengthening primary care means strengthening continuity, early detection and long-term disease management within the community. “MMA understands that patients may have concerns regarding fee revisions. This does not mean that all consultations will increase. Fees will vary depending on the nature and complexity of care. “A simple consultation is not the same as managing a complex chronic condition and should not be priced the same,” he said. Thirunavukarasu said a significant proportion of patients access care through corporate panels managed by third-party administrators, with many of these rates remaining unchanged for years. “Many of these rates no longer reflect the scope and responsibility of current medical practice. Sustainability of primary care cannot be achieved if reimbursement structures remain outdated. “MMA will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure consultation rates are aligned appropriately. This revision must not be a one-off exercise. “If we do not build a system for periodic review, we will repeat the same problem a decade from now,” he said.

Thirunavukarasu said MMA will continue to advocate for a structured and consistent approach to future revisions, including better alignment across the entire system. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

model from three decades ago,” he said. On the revised GP consultation fees, Thirunavukarasu said MMA acknowledges and appreciates Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, adding that his continued engagement reflects a clear commitment to prioritising primary care. “MMA further acknowledges Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for announcing this revision in Budget 2026, recognising the importance of strengthening primary care. “We acknowledge the Health Ministry, particularly the Medical Practice Division and its team, for their work in bringing this process to completion,” he added. He said MMA also welcomed the Health Ministry’s issuance of new guidelines on IV drip services in private medical clinics. “This provides much-needed clarity to ensure such services are delivered safely, ethically and within the appropriate outpatient scope. It also reinforces consistency in practice and professional standards.”

He added that MMA will continue to advocate for a structured and consistent approach to future revisions, including better alignment across the healthcare system. “This is an important step forward. But more importantly, it is a reminder. “Primary care is not the lowest cost component of healthcare, it is the foundation that prevents higher costs elsewhere. “The focus now must be on implementation, sustainability and strengthening the role of primary care within the healthcare system,” he said. MMA welcomed the amendment to the general practitioners fee structure, noting consultation fees have remained unchanged since 2006, based on a framework dating back to 1992. “We are pleased that the amendment to Schedule 7 under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Regulations 2006 takes effect from yesterday. “This is a long-overdue revision. Primary care cannot remain sustainable on a pricing

Selangor to hold special meeting on energy crisis SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government will hold a special meeting today to coordinate efforts to assist the people amid the global energy crisis, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. “A special task force will be established, with regular meetings to be held to ensure the measures outlined are implemented in an orderly and effective manner,” he said in a Facebook post. meeting is to outline the work and main framework as part of the state’s preparedness in facing global uncertainties, taking into account Selangor’s significant contribution of 26.2% to the country’s GDP.

“Any implications for Selangor will certainly have a direct impact on the entire Malaysian economy and today’s efforts mark the beginning of several state-level actions to support initiatives led by the federal government,” he said. He added that the Selangor government has experience in dealing with major challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the major floods in December 2021 and last year’s gas pipe explosion, during which the state government and the people worked together to recover. – Bernama

He added that he had convened a special roundtable meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday to discuss the Middle East crisis and its impact on the economy and people of Selangor. He said the meeting, which was also attended by heads of several state government-owned subsidiaries directly involved in the crisis, brought together experts in economics, geopolitics and energy to present their analysis and initial projections of the war’s impact. “The purpose of the special roundtable

He added that the meeting will focus on supporting vulnerable groups and ensuring effective assistance for the state’s industrial sector. Amirudin said the meeting will be held following a special meeting of menteris besar and chief ministers with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today to review the federal government’s plans. “ Insya Allah , the state government will make thorough preparations based on facts and the latest information to assist the people and the industrial sector in Selangor.