The coalition argued that Malaysia continues to spend below the level needed to meet growing healthcare demands.
PETALING JAYA: A coalition of more than 60 civil society organisations will submit a memorandum to MPs tomorrow urging the government to increase, rather than reduce, public healthcare spending as the system is under strain.
The groups, under the Save Public Healthcare System Campaign, are opposing a proposed cut of about RM4.65 billion to the Health Ministry’s 2026 allocation, saying it may worsen shortages in manpower, facilities and essential resources.
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PSM central committee member Gandipan Gopalan told theSun that the memorandum, led by Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, would be submitted to MPs from both the government and opposition.
The coalition questioned how savings of RM4.65 billion could be achieved solely through measures such as reducing overseas courses, hotel events and development projects, as reportedly outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The government must provide a detailed and transparent breakdown of the proposed cuts, including the categories involved and the amount of savings expected from each category,” it said in a statement signed by 60 nongovernmental organisations and five individuals.
On April 30, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry was expecting a budget cut of about 10%, while assuring that core healthcare services would not be affected.
With the ministry allocated RM46.5 billion under Budget 2026, the reduction would amount to about RM4.65 billion.
The coalition argued that Malaysia continues to spend below the level needed to meet growing healthcare demands.
It said any savings should be reinvested into healthcare and education instead of being removed from those sectors.
“The country’s public healthcare system requires greater investment,” it said, reiterating its call for public healthcare spending to reach at least 5% of the GDP.
It also opposed funding cuts to university hospitals, citing fee increases of up to 233% at University Malaya Medical Centre from Jan 1 last year and said university hospitals play an important role in providing a more affordable alternative to private healthcare, particularly in urban areas.
It also called for a freeze on further hikes until adequate public hospital alternatives are available. The memorandum further proposes higher taxes on private hospitals benefiting from medical tourism, with revenue channelled to public healthcare.
It added that Penang recorded more than 527,000 foreign patients in 2025, generating over RM1.1 billion in revenue while government hospitals continued to face funding and staffing constraints.
The coalition said austerity efforts should target wastage, leakages, luxury government spending and non-essential mega projects before healthcare and education budgets are cut.
Among the organisations backing the memorandum besides PSM are Aliran, the Consumers’ Association of Penang, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, Islamic Renaissance Front, Muda, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Women’s Aid Organisation, Undi18 and several health, student and community-based groups.
