By Thanesh Veeramutu
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 August 2025: Malaysia’s Health Ministry, led by Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, is set to conduct a detailed study on a proposal to recruit nurses from Indonesia. The suggestion, put forth by Sigit S Widiyanto, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Johor Bahru, aims to address the nation’s critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
While the ministry has agreed to evaluate the proposal, it has stressed that any final decision will be made with a balanced approach, taking into account patient welfare, fair opportunities for local nursing graduates, and the long-term sustainability of the country’s nursing workforce. The ministry will also assess the specific needs of the healthcare system and the readiness of both local and foreign-trained nurses to meet those demands.
The proposal has already met with strong opposition from local unions. The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), through its president Datuk Dr. Adnan Mat, voiced disapproval, particularly regarding recruitment for government hospitals. Cuepacs argues that the move is inappropriate, as many local nursing graduates are still unemployed or awaiting permanent placements, with some having waited for up to eight months. The union insists that priority must be given to the domestic workforce before considering foreign recruitment.
The debate highlights a critical challenge for Malaysia’s healthcare sector: balancing immediate staffing needs with the responsibility to its own trained professionals. While foreign recruitment could offer a swift solution to shortages, the concerns raised by Cuepacs emphasize the need for a comprehensive strategy that supports both the existing and future local nursing talent pool. The government’s decision will likely have a long-term impact on the structure and workforce of Malaysia’s public health system.
