Malaysia Health Minister proposes Health Service Commission

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has committed to establishing a Health Service Commission (SPK) before the end of the 15th Parliament to strengthen human resource management within the Ministry of Health (MOH). The proposed commission is intended to oversee the appointment, confirmation, promotion, transfer, and disciplinary actions for 86 service schemes, including medical officers, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and paramedics.

However, Dzulkefly clarified that the SPK will not have the authority to create new positions or determine remuneration systems. Those powers will remain under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in accordance with the Financial Procedure Act 1957. The establishment of the commission may require amendments to the Federal Constitution.

To prepare for the transition, the MOH held engagement sessions with the JPA and other service commissions on October 22 to study best practices. In the interim, the ministry is implementing improvements such as increasing the On-Call Allowance (ETAP) in 2025 and working with central agencies to manage staff distribution.