Singapore's RM385k offer sparks brain drain fears
Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran said the highly attractive annual package of RM385,000 – inclusive of accommodation and other benefits – could hasten the exodus of Malaysian medical professionals abroad.
"What is even more alarming is that the eligibility criteria have been relaxed. Malaysian medical graduates may now apply without having to sit for a qualifying examination as was previously required. Even the cost of living in Singapore, including rent, is covered.
"This offer is especially tempting for our young doctors who are still trying to find their footing within the domestic system," he said in a statement.
The issue came to light after HartalDoktorKontrak, a medical advocacy account on X, shared a promotional poster for a recruitment session aimed at medical officers and professionals. The session is scheduled to take place at a prominent hotel in Kuala Lumpur next month.
Dr Lingeshwaran, who formerly served as director of Hospital Sungai Bakap in Penang, stressed that the government must urgently introduce comprehensive reforms to the national medical career ecosystem to prevent further loss of local talent to foreign markets.
"I acknowledge that this is not a new issue. It has been embedded in the system for many years. However, I believe that under the current Madani government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the time is ripe for holistic reforms in the medical profession.
"Many healthcare workers, from junior doctors to consultants, believe that this administration is more receptive and willing to listen. But these sentiments must be translated into immediate action – not mere rhetoric.
"What has happened to the increases in on-call and specialist allowances announced in Budget 2025? We are already in July, and yet nothing has materialised.
"This erodes trust in the system, especially when neighbouring countries are acting swiftly with competitive offers while we remain mired in bureaucracy and uncertainty," he said.
Dr Lingeshwaran also said that nearly 40 per cent of graduates from the RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) in Penang had chosen to complete their housemanship in Ireland or the United Kingdom, rather than serve in Malaysian public hospitals.
RUMC – formerly known as Penang Medical College – is a branch campus of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin. It is recognised as a university by the Higher Education Ministry.
"This is a clear sign that our young doctors are losing faith in the system. Statistics show that more than 6,400 medical officers resigned between 2019 and 2023. This is no longer a minor leak – it's a wave that threatens the resilience of our public healthcare system," said Dr Lingeshwaran.
He said that the issue went beyond remuneration.
"Young doctors seek certainty, support, and a secure future. Without urgent and structural reform, we risk losing even more high-quality professionals.
"The time to act is now. We must demonstrate our appreciation for our doctors not just with words, but with action. Reform must be implemented – not delayed," he added.
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