KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 23 -- The Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) has warned that changes to the Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) under the government's new public service salary system could undermine dental healthcare services across Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, particularly by discouraging younger officers from taking up posts in Borneo.

The new BIW structure, which took effect on December 1, 2024, replaces the long-standing percentage-based allowance with a fixed monthly rate.

While the association welcomed the increase in basic pay under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), it said the shift to a flat rate was "regressive" and failed to reflect the realities of working in Borneo.

MDA cautioned that the reduced allowance coul...