PETALING JAYA: A digital verification system for medical certificates (MCs) could be key to addressing the persistent abuse of false sick leave claims.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said the proposal to digitise MCs for verification has been discussed for some time.
This includes uploading MCs issued by private practitioners to third-party administrator (TPA) systems and those from government facilities to MySejahtera.
“The cost-benefit and data privacy implications of large-scale digital surveillance of MCs must be carefully considered,” he said.
In short, technology may help tighten processes, but it is unlikely to eliminate the issue.
“A more balanced and effective solution lies in fostering trust, improving employee engagement and ensuring that medical ethics and employer policies go hand in hand,” he added.
SME Association of Malaysia national president Dr Chin Chee Seong acknowledged that employers face difficulties verifying the genuineness of MCs.
Chin welcomed the move towards a digitised system but stressed that a legal framework is needed for it to take effect.
“Some employers are already giving incentives where if you don’t take MC for a month, employees are given incentives such as an additional RM50 and RM100,” he said.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said MC fraud is a growing concern, adversely affecting workplace productivity, disrupting operations and undermining employee discipline and morale.
He added that many employers continue to grapple with cases of sick leave abuse involving questionable or falsified MCs.
He said MEF is proposing a national digital verification system to combat MC fraud, which would integrate existing platforms such as MySejahtera (for government clinics and hospitals) and TPA apps (for panel and private clinics).
He said MCs could also carry QR codes carrying a verifiable code, which employers could scan to authenticate its validity and issuing clinic.
“(There could be) a centralised database of issued MCs, accessible in real-time by authorised parties (employers, insurers and enforcement agencies) under strict data protection protocols,” he said.
This would reduce the incidence of forged or untraceable MCs, allow employers to verify the authenticity and issuing clinic instantly and track MC usage patterns that may indicate abuse.
“MEF supports the move towards digitalisation of MC verification as a long-term solution to prevent fraud.
“A secure, integrated and government-led e-MC platform will not only reduce fraud and abuse but also increase trust and transparency between employers, employees and medical institutions.
“The above measures, if implemented with proper governance, will enhance workplace integrity and contribute to better workforce health management across Malaysia,” he said.
Highlighting some of the challenges with the current MC system, Syed Hussain said most of the certificates were handwritten or scanned, with limited means to verify MCs from non-panel clinics.
He added that some employers refrain from challenging MCs due to concerns over violating employee privacy or sparking industrial conflict.
“These weaknesses create loopholes resulting in fake MC syndicates and employee misuse of MC as recently highlighted by various enforcement actions,” he said.
