A Malaysian member of parliament has suggested establishing an independent private healthcare commission to tackle long-standing medical insurance problems in the country
Malaysian parliamentarian Mr Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) told Dewan Rakyat, the House of Representatives, (the lower house of the Malaysian parliament) that the proposed commission could help resolve persistent issues such as patients being denied treatment or facing delays in private hospitals due to insurance clauses and the slow issuance of guarantee letters.
He said, “Currently, the government has set up an inter-ministerial committee on medical and healthcare costs. But this committee is temporary in nature and attention is still needed to address core structural issues. This is where the new proposed commission can step in to assist.” He was speaking during a debate on the motion of thanks on Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mr Tze Tzin cited reports of patients struggling to access private healthcare due to insurance-related complications. He said a recent survey by health news portal CodeBlue which included 855 specialists doctors in private hospitals nationwide, revealed that their patients had suffered or faced delayed treatment due to insurers delaying or rejecting healthcare coverage.
“I propose that a national task force be formed by the health ministry, Bank Negara and the police to investigate the issues raised in the report.
“The specialists concerned should also be called in to have their statements recorded,” he said, adding that the report alleged interference by the insurance industry in private healthcare matters.
Mr Tze Tzin also raised concern over the worsening brain drain among doctors and nurses.
Many of our medical officers and specialists have migrated to Singapore for work.” He urged Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to outline measures to stem the outflow of Malaysian medical professionals.