A recent Threads post sparked debate on why Malaysia can’t offer free healthcare and education like Norway or Qatar, citing taxes, governance, and population differences.
ONE man wondered why Malaysia doesn’t offer free healthcare and education. The internet didn’t hold back.
Recently, a Threads user, @hafifi_mhm7, posted: “If Norway and Qatar can provide free education and healthcare, why can’t Malaysia? Let’s discuss.”
Replies came fast and sharp.
User @decembereightythree: “Healthcare is free here. Education up to SPM is also free. Norway’s tax is 47%. Two minutes on Google would have answered your
question.”
Another user @azuehamdan emphasised that Norwegians pay extremely high taxes—something Malaysians panic over even at 6% GST/SST.
Others mentioned structural differences. @rasidi342 stated the huge population gap, while @wannadiah explained that Qatar’s small workforce, mostly in oil and gas, and its corporate taxes make providing free services much easier.
Reality checks kept coming. @carol760717 asked: “40% tax for everyone. Would you agree to that?” @syamil_muhd bluntly summarised: “High taxes.”
However, many also said that trust and governance were flagged as bigger obstacles than taxes themselves.
@eugenewong794 argued that corruption and low institutional trust prevent citizens from supporting higher taxes, while @anrowena added that people reject higher taxes not out of unwillingness,
but because they don’t see tangible benefits.
Some reminded him that Malaysia already provides basic services in those areas.
@nurulbadiahlai commented that primary and secondary education is free, and public universities are subsidised while the taxes aren’t extremely high despite the significantly larger population compared to the two countries.
Others didn’t hold back. @tyratoyt said corruption is the main issue, while @azaamesan bluntly told him to “go and live there”.
Comparing Malaysia to Norway or Qatar on “free” education and healthcare ignores key differences like taxes, population size, and how governments are run.
Without real accountability and reform, simply raising taxes won’t make free healthcare and education sustainable.
