In light of the growing number of complaints involving illegal healthcare services and unlicensed aesthetic medical treatments, the government must strengthen enforcement and regulatory measures, industry players must strictly comply with existing laws, and the public should remain vigilant by seeking treatment only from legitimate and licensed healthcare providers. Such services not only endanger consumers’ health and safety but also undermine public confidence in the country’s healthcare system.
According to data from the Health Ministry, more than 1,020 complaints have been received since 2021 involving healthcare services provided by unregistered or unlicensed premises. Complaints related to aesthetic medical services have also increased year by year.
Under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), all healthcare services must be provided by registered or licensed premises. Offenders may face fines of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to six years, or both.
To date, the ministry has conducted 320 enforcement raids and prosecuted 70 cases, underscoring the scale of the problem and the need for continued vigilance by both regulators and the public.
Therefore, MCA proposes the following five recommendations:
1. Strengthen public education and awareness campaigns
Many consumers, particularly young people, are easily influenced by online advertisements, social media promotions, and low prices, often overlooking whether service providers possess the necessary qualifications and licences. The MoH should work with the media, schools, community organisations, and professional bodies to conduct regular awareness campaigns on the risks of receiving treatment from unlicensed providers, including infections, disfigurement, long-term health complications, and even loss of life. Existing legal provisions should also be widely publicised so that the public understands the penalties faced by offenders.
2. Establish a more comprehensive and user-friendly licence verification system
In the digital age, members of the public should be able to easily verify whether healthcare facilities, clinics, aesthetic centres, and practitioners are properly licensed through official websites or mobile applications. The MoH should further enhance existing platforms to improve speed and accuracy, while promoting QR code verification systems that allow consumers to instantly check credentials before receiving services, thereby improving consumer confidence and safety.
3. Intensify enforcement and raise the cost of non-compliance
The continued rise in complaints suggests that some operators are still exploiting regulatory gaps. Besides maintaining regular inspections and investigations, enforcement agencies should focus on high-risk areas and premises that frequently attract complaints. For repeat offenders, in addition to prosecution and fines, authorities should consider publicly naming violators as a deterrent and warning to consumers.
4. Strengthen inter-agency cooperation
Illegal healthcare and aesthetic services often involve online promotions, unlicensed operations, and activities spanning multiple jurisdictions, making them difficult for the Ministry of Health to address alone. Greater collaboration is needed between the Ministry, local authorities, the police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Information-sharing and joint enforcement operations should be enhanced. Cooperation with social media and e-commerce platforms is also essential to identify and remove illegal advertisements and promotional content before they reach a wider audience.
5. Encourage public reporting and strengthen whistleblower protection
The rakyat themselves play a crucial role in identifying illegal healthcare activities. The government should therefore provide more accessible reporting channels, including hotlines, mobile applications, and online platforms. Strict confidentiality must be guaranteed to protect whistleblowers from potential retaliation. Where appropriate, the government may also consider incentive mechanisms to encourage greater public participation in reporting unlawful activities.
Only through the collective efforts of the government, industry stakeholders, and the public can illegal medical activities be effectively curbed and consumer health and safety adequately protected.
Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon
MCA Deputy President
