PETALING JAYA: A total of 669 medical officers have reported for duty in Sabah and Sarawak under Phase 2 of the 2026 placement exercise, reflecting a 4.38% increase in acceptance rates compared to the previous year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced on Thursday (Oct 8).
The figure represents roughly 64% of the 1,055 total placement offers issued for the two East Malaysian states.
Expressing his gratitude to those who stepped up to serve in Borneo, Dzulkefly also acknowledged the challenges faced by medical officers who turned down their placements, noting that family separation, relocation costs, health issues, and career progression concerns remain significant hurdles.
"These are realistic challenges that we absolutely do not take lightly," Dzulkefly wrote in a Facebook post, and added that the Health Ministry is actively deploying financial and career incentives to support healthcare workers in rural and remote regions.
He said that to ease the burden of relocating, the ministry has maintained full coverage of relocation expenses, a policy implemented in 2025, alongside a 100% Transfer Allowance and regional placement incentives. Medical officers assigned to hard-to-reach areas are also eligible for an Inland Area Incentive (Insentif Kawasan Pedalaman) of up to RM1,500 per month, tiered according to the remoteness of the location.
Addressing career progression concerns, Dzulkefly directed the establishment of a dedicated 30% quota for medical officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak who apply for specialist training programs (program lanjutan kepakaran).
Officers stationed in Borneo will also receive additional merit considerations when applying for postgraduate specialty training and study leave.
"The service and sacrifice of our doctors in Sabah and Sarawak hold immense value in ensuring that no citizen is left behind from accessing equitable healthcare," Dr Dzulkefly added, praising the doctors as "national health heroes."
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