PETALING JAYA, November 27 – Medical insurance premiums in Malaysia are expected to rise by 40-70% next year, leaving many policyholders burdened by escalating costs. Notices sent by insurance providers attribute the hike to the rising cost of healthcare at private hospitals, according to a report by Utusan Malaysia.
Policyholders expressed frustration over the increases, with some contemplating terminating their policies. One individual, Hamidi, said his premium had risen steadily over the years, with a recent notice informing him of a jump from RM188.47 to RM237.34 monthly. Similarly, Safie Wahab reported a hike from RM244 to RM377, lamenting that the trend could eventually force many to abandon health insurance altogether.
Consumer advocates, such as Jacob George of the Subang and Shah Alam Consumers Association, are urging the government to intervene. George called for a cap on premium hikes and demanded transparency from insurers regarding their financial justifications. Meanwhile, PKR MPs, including Bayan Baru’s Sim Tze Tzin, warned that the rising costs are pushing middle-class Malaysians toward overcrowded public healthcare facilities, intensifying strain on government hospitals and clinics.
