RECENT issues with the Health Ministry’s (MOH) e-placement system for medical officers have caused widespread anger and frustration among doctors, particularly those transitioning to permanent positions.
The delays and cancellations of initial placements due to system glitches and “maldistribution” have led to a lot of stress, financial losses and a perceived lack of respect from the ministry.
This was highlighted in a post on X by marketing & brand strategist Khairul Akmal (@KhairulAqmal) which purportedly shows a young doctor proclaiming ecstasy at migrating Down Under. Why? The above failure of MOH to provide permanent placement.
If someone asked me, “What’s the biggest financial mistake you made when you were young?” I’d say, not migrating when I had the chance. 🤣🤣
I’m so happy for her! Wishing her all the best at the new place! pic.twitter.com/Fh76boeyGF
— Khairul Aqmal 🍉 (@KhairulAqmal) May 4, 2025
Wishing the young doctor all the very best for her future, the poster regretted not making the move himself when he had the chance to put down roots elsewhere.
That sentiment was repeated by quite a few netizens who cheered the young lass for daring to take the plunge “at the loss of her motherland”.
The better salaries available was more than enough to make such a drastic move, argued a few netizens.
One commenter also echoed sentiment of regret for not taking the opportunity when it was available.
He had ignored his parents’ advice to continue his post-graduate studies in Australia with a view to getting a permanent resident (PR) status but he chose to ignore it as he wanted to get married.
He is now divorced and 13 years later, found himself still languishing in the B40 category. He counselled to always listen to one’s parents as moral of the story.
However, not all were sure this was the right move. One netizen warned that in certain countries, the anti-migration or right-wing factions are gaining traction.
Those who leave Malaysia may find themselves escaping a frying pan to merely jump in the fire.
Another netizen pointed to the “opportunity costs” of such a move. He surmised that the biggest loss would be not having extended family or close friends around.
Regardless of the pros and cons of migrating, the bigger issue here is MOH’s failure to properly address medical professionals’ grievances.
That the e-placement system has been a total failure is further compounded by the Madani administration’s lack of communication and transparency which smacks of unprofessionalism or worse, mala fides.
It is no secret that the nation’s health system is under severe duress. The lack of skilled manpower is placing it under tremendous strain and yet, this is allowed to happen.
In the end, it would appear that nations in the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and China which are benefitting from Malaysia’s brain drain syndrome. – May 6, 2025
Main image credit: Lavnya Balenderan/YouTube
