SIBU, Dec. 29 -- Discontinuing the special allowance for medical personnel serving in Sabah and Sarawak will heavily impact Malaysia's already strained healthcare system, said the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Dudong and Sibu Jaya branches.

In a joint statement on Sunday, they said that healthcare workers, particularly those posted from the Peninsula, serving in East Malaysia faced unique challenges such as geographical isolation, limited infrastructure, higher cost of living in certain areas, logistical difficulties, and prolonged separation from families.

"The special allowance was not a privilege, but a necessary form of compensation recognising these realities and ensuring continuity of healthcare services in East Malaysia. ...