SABAH’S worsening struggle to recruit and retain medical officers threatens to paralyse rural hospitals unless directly addressed in the upcoming Federal Budget, warned Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Expressing deep concern over the refusal of young doctors from Peninsular Malaysia to accept postings in Sabah, Masidi urged the Federal Government to overhaul incentives, housing facilities, hospital infrastructure, and support staffing levels.
“If we look at the statistics, it is very worrying because the reluctance of young doctors from Peninsular Malaysia to accept placements in Sabah will affect many rural hospitals,” he said on Saturday following the second graduation ceremony of Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Ranau.
“I hope this matter can be given special attention in this Budget.”
Masidi acknowledged that key deterrents cited by medical officers include inadequate regional allowances, high relocation costs, and extended separation from families.
He emphasized that overcoming the healthcare shortfall requires more than financial compensation, pointing out that hospital infrastructure, accommodation, and the recruitment of nurses and support personnel are equally vital to prevent burnout.
“Hospitals increase, doctors increase, but the support sector might be overlooked or inadequate,” Masidi noted, advocating for a revised service scheme to offer attractive incentives for extended rural postings.
Addressing state finances, Masidi reiterated Sabah’s expectation that the RM900 million financial allocation promised to the state will be disbursed this year, while calling for larger budgetary provisions for federal ministries charged with Sabah’s development.
Separately, Masidi lauded MRSM Ranau for emerging as the top-performing MRSM in Sabah and Sarawak and ranking fourth among 56 campuses nationwide.
Commending the 65 graduating students, he described the RM132 million institution—jointly developed by the Sabah Government, Mara, and Petronas—as a vital long-term investment in human capital.
“Go as far as you can. Reach as high as you dream. But when you reach the top, do not forget to look back and extend a hand to those still on the journey,” he urged the graduates. - October 4, 2026
