PETALING JAYA: A newly operational Sarawak-level medical committee marks a key step towards addressing the state’s healthcare shortage and advancing its autonomy in the sector. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Sarawak Medical Committee under the Malaysia Medical Council (MMC), now operational, marks a small step but an important start towards health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Sim also pointed to figures shared by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in Parliament, noting that out of 5,000 available housemanship positions nationwide, only 529 medical graduates were accepted. He noted that a significant number of Malaysian medical graduates trained overseas do not return, citing estimates that about 50% of Monash University Malaysia graduates move to Australia, while 90% of Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia graduates relocate to the United Kingdom. Sim also expressed appreciation to Sarawak Medical Committee members for their role in establishing and operationalising the committee.

Source: The Star March 21, 2026 14:49 UTC