Joint ministerial panel formed for private healthcare reforms, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivering his keynote address at Bank Negara Malaysia's Sasana Symposium 2025 today. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : A joint ministerial committee has been formed to lead long-term reforms in Malaysia's healthcare system, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Delivering his keynote address at the Sasana Symposium 2025 hosted by Bank Negara Malaysia, Anwar said the new panel would include representatives from the finance and health ministries, as well as the central bank.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the committee would ensure that 'quality healthcare is both affordable and accessible for all Malaysians'.
He acknowledged concerns that Malaysia had too many committees with no outcomes, but said that the government must go beyond symbolic changes and enact bold reforms.
He said the focus must shift from incremental fixes to a value-based private healthcare system that prioritises outcomes, transparency, and fairness.
'Key reforms include clearer pricing, stronger digital healthcare, and expanded access to affordable options such as a universal base medical insurance product,' he said.
He also said that Malaysia must be adaptive in its policies, have strong institutions, and maintain a clear vision of its chosen direction to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income economy.
Anwar said the Madani Economic Framework reflected the nation's high-income economy vision and articulated a dual commitment.
'First, industrial policies should be modernised, focusing on sectoral competitiveness, digital transformation, green growth, and value chain upgrading.
'Second, the benefits of economic expansion should be broad-based, particularly for the vulnerable and underserved segments of our society,' he said.
He added that the government was prioritising five critical areas under the Madani agenda: fiscal sustainability and governance, subsidy rationalisation, tax reforms, human capital development, and institutional integrity.
On subsidy reforms, Anwar reiterated that Malaysia could no longer delay structural reforms, including targeted fuel subsidies and tax overhauls.
'Blanket fuel subsidies, particularly for RON95, were benefiting the rich and even foreigners, at the expense of government resources that should be channelled to the needy.'
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