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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- 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.
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 18, 2025
Cambodia and China acknowledged that the Golden Dragon joint military exercise has become a symbol of military cooperation. Despite global geopolitical shifts, the ironclad friendship between the two nations remains strong. The 7th Golden Dragon joint military exercise began yesterday. Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the government has implemented national development policies to transform battlefields into zones of progress and safeguard territorial integrity. The policies have improved infrastructure and people's living conditions. INDONESIA THWART TIN SAND SMUGGLING ATTEMPT TO MALAYSIA -- JAKARTA GLOBE Indonesian authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 20 tonnes of tin sand to Malaysia, seizing a vessel off the coast of Bangka Belitung Province and arresting its captain, police said Friday. The suspect, identified by his initials LM, 39, is a resident of the Riau Islands Province and was detained during the Thursday operation. REAL ESTATE GROUP KEEN TO INVEST IN NUSANTARA, SAYS IKN AUTHORITY -- THE JAKARTA POST The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority says the Ayedh Dejem Group from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has submitted an expression of interest for investing in the commercial area of the nation's future capital in East Kalimantan. MYANMAR SAYS MYANMAR WILL COOPERATE WITH ASEAN -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told Russia's RT News that Myanmar will fully cooperate in line with ASEAN's Charter. He said the regional bloc has noble objectives and Myanmar wish to act accordingly. FORESTS RESERVES FACE THREATS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar currently has over 1.1 million acres of mangrove forests, making it the seventh largest in the world and the third largest in Southeast Asia for mangrove coverage. But they are facing threats from deforestation, mainly due to agricultural and aquaculture development. SINGAPORE SIGNS OF FINANCIAL ABUSE AMONG THE ELDERLY IN SINGAPORE; WHY ARE THEY SO HARD TO DETECT? -- THE STRAITS TIMES Singapore's rapidly ageing population is bringing more instances of elder abuse, with financial rip-offs of older vulnerable folk becoming an issue of concern. TO SPEAK TO RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN LEADERS ON MONDAY AFTER TALKS IN TURKEY -- CNA/AGENCIES US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 17) he would speak to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine on Monday following talks between the two sides at which a Ukrainian official said Moscow's negotiators voiced new demands before a ceasefire could be agreed. THAILAND 1. BMA CALLS TIME ON DISASTER DECLARATION AT COLLAPSED AUDIT OFFICE SITE -- THE NATION Bangkok authorities have officially declared an end to the state of disaster at the construction site of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building. 2. FRUIT FARMERS URGE GOVT TO RECRUIT K-POP SENSATION LISA -- BANGKOK POST Local fruit farmers have urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to enlist Thai K-pop sensation Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal in a campaign to promote Thai fruits to boost international sales. VIETNAM FLOW REACH RM60 BILLION IN FIRST QUARTER -- VIETNAMPLUS The Ministry of Finance announced that Vietnam attracted about RM60 (US$13.82 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of 2025. Singapore topped the investors' list, followed by China and Japan. MULLING SIMPLER CITIZENSHIP LAWS FOR FOREIGNERS -- VIETNAM NEWS The National Assembly is reviewing draft amendments to national law to ease the process for overseas Vietnamese and foreign professionals to acquire citizenship. This will favour individuals of Vietnamese descent and foreign investors, scientists and experts. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
