Two-tier healthcare or public lifeline? Unpacking the debate over Rakan KKM
On one side, detractors warn it would create a two-tiered healthcare system that favours wealthier patients using public facilities.
On the other, supporters argue the programme could help alleviate the financial strain on government hospitals and clinics while retaining specialist talent.
What is Rakan KKM?
The programme is a paid-for service envisioned by the MOH to offer 'premium economy' healthcare, encompassing elective procedures and personalised care.
According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Rakan KKM will operate within the public healthcare ecosystem but provide services evocative of yet cheaper than commercial hospitals.
The ministry aims to launch Rakan KKM by the third quarter of this year at four pilot locations: Hospital Cyberjaya, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang, and the National Cancer Institute (IKN).
Why the controversy?
Criticism primarily centres on the argument that Rakan KKM amounts to a 'backdoor privatisation' of healthcare facilities and services funded by taxpayer money.
Critics argue this will create a two-tiered system, allowing those with money to 'skip the line' for access to public healthcare services and bypass the long waiting lists that currently plague government hospitals under severe cost and manpower strains.
They have also homed in on the salaries offered by Rakan KKM, with many top posts advertised with five-figure pay. Detractors have used this to question the MOH's stated inability to absorb thousands of contract health workers into permanent positions.
Rakan KKM has so far received an allocation of RM25 million under Budget 2025, with a second phase of funding expected to come from government-linked investment companies (GLICs).
The ministry's defence: Public interest, not profit
Responding to the backlash, Dzulkefly has stressed that Rakan KKM's conception is underpinned by public interest.
He rejected claims of privatisation by highlighting that Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd will remain fully owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which would keep the entity aligned with government objectives.
'When a GLIC investor comes in, the GLIC may take an equity stake in Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd. Ownership of Rakan KKM remains with the government, directly or through GLICs, throughout its operations,' the minister said on the social media platform X on Sunday.
He then urged the public to look at the programme's key objectives, which he outlined as:
Making healthcare more affordable than fully private options.
Using any profits to cross-subsidise regular public healthcare services.
Providing better income opportunities for specialists to retain them in the public service.
Dzulkefly argues that these goals demonstrate that Rakan KKM is rooted in public service, not profit maximisation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Thousands of South Korean medical students to return to class after 17-month boycott
SEOUL, July 14 — Thousands of South Korean medical students are set to return to classrooms after a 17-month boycott, an industry body told AFP Monday, ending part of a standoff which also saw junior doctors strike. South Korean healthcare was plunged into chaos early last year when then-president Yoon Suk Yeol moved to sharply increase medical school admissions, citing an urgent need to boost doctor numbers to meet growing demand in a rapidly aging society. The initiative met fierce protest, prompting junior doctors to walk away from hospitals and medical students to boycott their classrooms, with operations cancelled and service provision disrupted nationwide. The measure was later watered down, and the government eventually offered to scrap it in March 2025, after Yoon was impeached over his disastrous declaration of martial law. 'Students have agreed to return to school,' a spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association told AFP Monday, adding that it was up to each medical school to decide the schedule for student returns. The Korean Medical Students' Association said in an earlier statement that the students had reached this decision because a continued boycott 'could cause the collapse of the fundamentals of medical systems'. Some 8,300 students are expected to return to school, but no specific timeline has been provided. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok welcomed the decision, calling it a 'big step forward' in a Facebook post Sunday, adding President Lee Jae Myung was deliberating ways to solve the issue. In addition to the student boycott, some 12,000 junior doctors went on strike last year—with the vast majority of them still declining to return to work. Lee — who took office in June after winning snap elections following Yoon's removal from office — had said on the campaign trail he would seek to resolve the medical strike. The increase in medical school admissions led to a record number of students re-taking the college entrance exam in November in a bid to capitalise on reforms that made it easier to get into coveted majors. — AFP
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Two-tier healthcare or public lifeline? Unpacking the debate over Rakan KKM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The Ministry of Health's (MOH) plan to launch its 'Rakan KKM' programme has ignited a fierce public debate. On one side, detractors warn it would create a two-tiered healthcare system that favours wealthier patients using public facilities. On the other, supporters argue the programme could help alleviate the financial strain on government hospitals and clinics while retaining specialist talent. What is Rakan KKM? The programme is a paid-for service envisioned by the MOH to offer 'premium economy' healthcare, encompassing elective procedures and personalised care. According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Rakan KKM will operate within the public healthcare ecosystem but provide services evocative of yet cheaper than commercial hospitals. The ministry aims to launch Rakan KKM by the third quarter of this year at four pilot locations: Hospital Cyberjaya, Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang, and the National Cancer Institute (IKN). Why the controversy? Criticism primarily centres on the argument that Rakan KKM amounts to a 'backdoor privatisation' of healthcare facilities and services funded by taxpayer money. Critics argue this will create a two-tiered system, allowing those with money to 'skip the line' for access to public healthcare services and bypass the long waiting lists that currently plague government hospitals under severe cost and manpower strains. They have also homed in on the salaries offered by Rakan KKM, with many top posts advertised with five-figure pay. Detractors have used this to question the MOH's stated inability to absorb thousands of contract health workers into permanent positions. Rakan KKM has so far received an allocation of RM25 million under Budget 2025, with a second phase of funding expected to come from government-linked investment companies (GLICs). The ministry's defence: Public interest, not profit Responding to the backlash, Dzulkefly has stressed that Rakan KKM's conception is underpinned by public interest. He rejected claims of privatisation by highlighting that Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd will remain fully owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which would keep the entity aligned with government objectives. 'When a GLIC investor comes in, the GLIC may take an equity stake in Rakan KKM Sdn Bhd. Ownership of Rakan KKM remains with the government, directly or through GLICs, throughout its operations,' the minister said on the social media platform X on Sunday. He then urged the public to look at the programme's key objectives, which he outlined as: Making healthcare more affordable than fully private options. Using any profits to cross-subsidise regular public healthcare services. Providing better income opportunities for specialists to retain them in the public service. Dzulkefly argues that these goals demonstrate that Rakan KKM is rooted in public service, not profit maximisation.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Dr Mahathir says fully recovered after IJN visit for fatigue
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that he is in good health and able to resume his usual activities, after a brief stay at the National Heart Institute (IJN) for observation due to fatigue. In a short video posted on his social media accounts, the 100-year-old politician apologised for his early departure from a birthday celebration yesterday. 'I was feeling extremely tired and needed to rest, and on the advice of my doctor, I went to the hospital, but it was only a short visit,' he said. 'I have since recovered after receiving treatment from the doctors and am now able to resume my usual routine, including work.' Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN around 10am yesterday after experiencing fatigue during a 'picnic and potluck' event in Putrajaya held to celebrate his 100th birthday (July 10) and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's 99th birthday (July 12). Prior to feeling fatigued, he had reportedly cycled for eight to nine kilometres and joined others for breakfast before leaving the event early. He was discharged and allowed to return home at approximately 4.45pm the same day. 'I hope you will forgive me for not being able to be there with you at the picnic yesterday,' Dr Mahathir reiterated in the video.
