Only Malaysians entitled to subsidised healthcare

Star: The Government has considered the people's interest before it decided to charge foreigners more at public hospitals from next year, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn.
He said the decision was also in line with Malaysia's plan to move away from becoming too dependent on foreign labour.
On Saturday, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said foreigners seeking treatment at public hospitals would be charged based on the Malaysian Medical Association’s schedule of fees for private practitioners.
Dr Fong said foreign workers should not be entitled to the comprehensive health system meant for Malaysians.
“Therefore foreign workers should bear the medical expenses at a different rate from Malaysians.
“To be fair to the Government, employers have to take that aspect into account because the Government wants to provide security to Malaysians not foreigners,” he said.
“We must move away from our total dependence on foreign workers.
“We cannot always be dependent on labour intensive industries and have to start paving our way towards a capital intensive industry,” he told reporters after giving out RM447,248.97 in benefits to 35 Social Security Organisation (Socso) recipients yesterday.
Dr Fong said Johor Baru Socso paid out RM17.59mil in benefits last year and until September this year, RM14.73mil had already been disbursed.
He reminded Socso officers to be less rigid with regulations when handling compensation cases to reduce the backlog, citing the case of a reporter in Segamat whose hand was almost severed two years ago.
“Whether or not his hand was severed in the line of duty, compensation should be paid.
“Let’s be humane and be a little bit more flexible. Loss of limb is loss of ability,” he added.