Budget 2026 Remove Rm500m Sugar Subsidies Allocate Rm80m To Increase Medical Officers On Call Allowance Instead

---

 
THE Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy has called for the government to allocate at least RM80 mil in the forthcoming Budget 2026 to fund long-overdue increases in on-call allowances (ETAP) for all medical officers and specialists under the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Its chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said this modest yet crucial allocation can be achieved by removing the existing RM50 mil sugar subsidies and redirecting these funds to strengthen the nation’s healthcare workforce.
“The current ETAP rates at RM220 for medical officers and RM250 for specialists per weekend shift, translate to less than RM10 per hour,” Azrul stated.
“Rates which are considered unfair and sustainable as well as contributing to reasons for the exodus of skilled healthcare workers from public healthcare. The promise to increase these allowances remains unfulfilled.”
According to MOH officials during a Parliamentary Select Committee on Health session held in February, raising ETAP allowances by RM55 to RM65 per shift across the board would cost approximately RM75 mil to RM80 mil.
Azrul noted that these figures are certainly within the means of the government to implement and further expressed support for Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s renewed pledge to ensure that a full ETAP allowance increase is implemented this year.
“We must ensure that the government honours the promise made to our healthcare professionals,” he added.
“Malaysia is one of the few countries globally that subsidises sugar. Sugar subsidies artificially lower prices, encourage unhealthy consumption, and contradict national non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention goals. Sugar subsidies undermine MOH’s war on sugar.”
Azrul said each year the Malaysian government gives around RM500 mil to sugar manufacturers as subsidies or incentives or RM42 mil a month, which translates to RM1.00/kg of sugar for raw sugar and refined sugar.
He further noted that removing or rationalising these subsidies will free up at least RM500 mil without burdening the overall budget, adding that there is more than enough to provide the RM80 mil needed to raise allowances.
“Every ringgit redirected from subsidising sugar to supporting frontline medical staff directly strengthens public health delivery and retention of skilled personnel,” he stressed.
“Malaysia is currently facing exploding rates of diabetes, heart disease and children with obesity, it makes no sense to subsidise sugar while underpaying doctors.
“Redirecting subsidies to fund on-call allowances is a win-win. We get healthier Malaysians and a stronger, more motivated healthcare workforce.” ‒  Focus Malaysia

---