We’re losing our doctors but can we blame them?

 

THERE’S a quiet crisis happening in Malaysia’s hospitals. And it’s not about equipment shortages or bed capacity. It’s about people—our young doctors, fresh out of medical school—who are quietly choosing to leave.

Let me give you a number that should stop you cold: Only 529 out of 5,000 housemanship spots offered this January were accepted. That’s just 10.5%.

Think about that. Nearly 4,500 young Malaysian doctors said “no” to starting their medical careers at home. Not because they don’t love their country. But because they don’t see a future here.

And Singapore? They’re watching. They’re ready. With open arms and contracts that offer S$110,000 (about RM385,000) to start—plus permanent jobs, pensions, and actual career paths.

Recruiters are already talking to students before they even graduate. Our top medical schools—UM, UKM, USM—are becoming feeder schools for a foreign system.

So why is this happening?

Because our own system keeps sending the wrong message. Contract after contract. Uncertainty after uncertainty. Young doctors are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.

They burn out before they’ve even begun. There’s little mentorship, unclear promotions, and barely any light at the end of the tunnel.

They’re not asking for luxury. They’re asking for dignity.

Ending the contract system—which the Health Ministry is reportedly considering—is a good first step. But it’s just that: a first step. We need permanent posts. Clear pathways. Real support. Housemanship shouldn’t be survival training—it should be a place to learn and grow.

And no, we can’t outpay Singapore. We shouldn’t even try. But we can compete on something deeper: respect. Purpose. The feeling that your work matters, and that you matter too.

Young doctors want balance. They want to be recognised when they do well. They want to specialise, to research, to grow without breaking. They want public service to feel like an honour—not a trap.

 Forcing them to stay with bonds won’t work. Making them “want” to stay? That’s the only real solution.

We also need to reach out to the thousands of Malaysian doctors already working abroad. Create real return pathways. Recognise their overseas experience. Let them come home without losing ground. Short-term exchanges, faster accreditation—these aren’t handouts. They’re investments.

Here’s the hard truth: our doctors aren’t leaving because they’re disloyal. They’re leaving because the system keeps failing them. If we don’t build a healthcare system that respects, nurtures, and rewards talent, the bleeding won’t stop.

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about people.  And the time to act? It’s now. Not tomorrow. Not after more leave.

Let’s build a system our doctors are proud to serve.  Because if we don’t—honestly? We can’t blame them for walking away. 

 KT Maran

Seremban, Negri Sembilan

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.

Malaysia’s doctor shortage deepens as brain drain intensifies

 

MALAYSIA’S public healthcare system is grappling with a deepening manpower crunch. In January 2026, the Health Ministry opened 5,000 housemanship slots to address an oversupply of graduates.

However, uptake was dismal with just 529 graduates reporting for duty, an 89.5% decline rate. What was once described as a general “brain drain” has taken a more aggressive turn.

According to MBSB Research, Singaporean recruiters are no longer waiting for young doctors to gain experience before making their move. I

nstead, they are actively approaching Malaysian medical students even before graduation.

Leading universities such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have become key hunting grounds.

The pool widened further in February when the Singapore Medical Council formally recognised medical degrees from USM, making its graduates immediately eligible for recruitment.

Pay disparities are a major pull factor. Fresh doctors in Singapore can command starting salaries of around S$110,000 (roughly RM385,000) annually, up to six times higher than entry-level pay in Malaysia’s public sector.

However, remuneration is only part of the appeal. Singapore also offers clear career pathways, including permanent positions and pension schemes.

By comparison, many Malaysian graduates remain stuck in the contract doctor framework, which offers limited job security and uncertain progression.

Faced with these realities, a growing number of final-year students are opting to secure employment overseas straight after completing their studies, effectively sidestepping Malaysia’s housemanship system altogether.

In response, the Health Ministry is said to be developing a new approach to address the outflow, with details expected by the end of 2026.

Proposed changes include phasing out the contract system and reinstating permanent roles as the norm for newly qualified doctors. — Focus  Malaysia

When power betrays: How abuse of authority breeds corruption and undermines public trust

 

ABUSE of power is a central concern in criminology because it represents a betrayal of trust by those entrusted with authority.

Power functions as a double-edged sword: while it is essential for maintaining social order, it also creates opportunities for abuse, corruption, and exploitation when not properly controlled.

Abuse of power and corruption are closely linked. Corruption involves using power for personal gain, while abuse of power refers to exploiting one’s official position.

Under the MACC Act 2009, abuse of power applies specifically to public officers, whereas corruption can involve anyone who exploits authority for personal benefit.

Abuse of power occurs when individuals or organisations exceed their authority, break rules, or misuse systems for personal gain. Ideally, power should be used to benefit the public.

Those in positions of power often have greater discretion and fewer constraints, which can foster unethical behaviour and undermine both public trust and the legitimacy of social systems.

Criminological theories show that such behaviour is often rationalised. Offenders justify their unethical actions to reduce guilt, learn from leaders, or are driven by pressure to achieve, as well as access to opportunities, wealth, or status.

(Image: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov)

They may seek power because it provides control, influence, and a sense of respect, security, and confidence.

However, when threatened with exposure, white-collar offenders may escalate to red-collar crimes. The 2013 assassination of the Deputy Director-General of Malaysian Customs exemplifies retaliation following a crackdown on a car-smuggling racket and money laundering.

When power is unchecked, it can lead to abuse, including conflicts of interest, favouritism in contracts or promotions, and bribery to influence decisions.

For example, a public official might grant contracts to relatives or associates (cronyism), an executive could falsify financial reports to hide losses, or a senior officer may accept bribes in exchange for favours.

Abuse of power, often driven by weak systems and poor governance, lies at the heart of corruption, enabling personal enrichment or  political gain at the expense of integrity.

Its consequences are far-reaching: it erodes public trust, diverts resources, undermines the rule of law, weakens institutions, destabilises the economy, deepens inequality, and fuels social unrest. Over time, it also fosters a culture of impunity, where those in authority act without accountability.

Leaders, politicians, and officials are entrusted to serve society, but history and current events show that power is often misused for personal gain.

Individuals in positions of power, such as politicians, corporate executives, and senior law enforcement officers, have the resources and decision-making authority to exploit and manipulate systems for personal gain, often through fraud, embezzlement, or large-scale misappropriation.

Many high-profile cases involve leaders and officials exploiting their positions for personal, family, or political gain through bribery, favouritism, and misappropriation of funds, all punishable under the MACC Act 2009.

These stolen funds are often laundered through businesses such as restaurants, which can conceal illicit money flows even with few customers.

They are also used to acquire luxury assets and fund personal indulgences rather than support public initiatives, resulting in significant losses to the public sector and harming the national economy. Many of those involved are either serving prison sentences or awaiting trial.

Such cases are often followed by AMLA charges, where illicit proceeds are suspected of being laundered or disguised as legitimate assets under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The penalties are severe.

AMLA is a powerful legal tool that allows authorities to freeze, seize, and forfeit assets derived from illegal activities, often even before a conviction. It targets financial crime by focusing on illicit gains rather than solely punishing offenders.

However, its broad enforcement powers, which critics warn could be abused, may affect innocent parties before guilt is proven, making some politicians and businesspeople wary of early investigation and scrutiny. AMLA must therefore be closely monitored to prevent misuse against innocent parties.

When power is too concentrated, it becomes difficult to control and can lead to corruption and misuse. Without accountability, leaders may act selfishly, unethically, or abusively instead of serving the public. As Edmund Burke noted, greater power brings a greater danger of abuse.

Similarly, Lord Acton’s famous observation that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” serves as a warning that unchecked authority leads to moral decay, where personal interests override the common good.

Governance is shaped by how power is exercised, relying on rules, checks, accountability, and ethical leadership. Abuse of power thrives in environments where enforcement is weak and accountability is selective.

When power is abused, policies are distorted, oversight weakens, and institutions lose credibility.

Integrity underpins ethical leadership, promoting fairness, accountability, and strong institutions. Its absence fosters corruption.

However, as criminologists emphasise, abuse of power can be prevented through ethical leadership, accountability, transparency, and oversight, ensuring that power serves justice and supports a society that values integrity.

 Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar is a Professor of Criminology at HELP University.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.

Should you postpone travel plans until things simmer down?

 

YES, you should postpone if you can be sure, not just hope, that the overall situation will get better. Things can remain the same, perhaps get better, or even worse. The question is when and how long will it take for Iran, Israel and the United States to stop firing missiles and drones.

Supply of crude oil and natural gas through the Persian Gulf has been severely disrupted, causing the price of petroleum products to rise considerably. Who would have thought that diesel was raised by 80 sen thrice in three consecutive weeks—on March 12, 19 and 26.

This directly impacted road transport operators, as almost all local commercial vehicles are powered by diesel engines. While express bus operators are allocated a quota of between 6,000 to 10,000 litres of subsidised diesel a month at RM1.88 per litre, tour bus operators get none.

Will diesel prices be increased again by yet another 80 sen come April 2?

Even at the current price of RM5.52 per litre, road and ferry operators would rather suspend operations if they cannot increase fares or consolidate trips by running trips only when their vehicles or vessels are fully loaded with passengers.

But tour buses are for private groups with their own itineraries. Passengers need to be fetched from the airport on arrival and later sent back on time to catch their departure flights. In between, they are picked up and dropped off at various hotels, restaurants, and many sightseeing stops.

These passengers cannot be combined with other tour groups with different itineraries, routes and schedules, and would require tourist guides who could speak their language, although tourists of various nationalities could stay in the same hotel and share the same buffet breakfast.

In normal times, many things have been taken for granted. But if diesel prices do not come down, road transport charges will have to rise, and prices of most goods and services would similarly increase. This is happening not just in Malaysia, but also in many parts of the world.

Hence, Malaysians should not postpone their holidays if they plan to travel within Southeast Asia, East Asia or Oceania, as these regions are far from the conflict zones.

Delays could prove costly if costs were to rise steeply, and weaker operators may dishonour contracts or just fold up.

As such, it would be wise for those going on overseas holidays to choose tour operators wisely. It would be foolish to shop online, compare prices and fall for bargains.

One must meet face to face with staff of tour companies to scrutinise their dependability, trustworthiness and reliability.

Instead of running all over town and visiting just a few tour companies in a day, those who plan to go on holidays should go to a one-stop centre, such as the MATTA Fair to be held from April 3 to 5 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

Over the past decades, many visitors to the consumer exhibition left with great bargains.

Today, they better ensure the tour operators they pick can deliver what they promise, and this also depends on their overseas counterparts honouring the agreements and agreed prices.

In destinations critically impacted by diesel supply disruptions, many activities would grind to a halt. In the past, it was prudent to hold on to your money in an economic downturn.

Now, it would be foolish to do so, as prices of goods and services would skyrocket, if they are at all available. 

 YS Chan is a tourism, transport and training consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.