KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has taken decisive measures against several panel clinics accused of misconduct under the Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) programme, reinforcing its commitment to accountability and the welfare of senior citizens.
The announcement was made by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah during a media briefing at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Friday.
She explained that the SCHB programme, introduced to ease access to outpatient medical treatment, is available to citizens aged 60 and above with household incomes below RM7,000.
As of 19 December 2025, a total of 212,234 senior citizens have registered under the scheme, which provides cashless outpatient treatment worth up to RM500 annually.
The programme is supported by 286 panel clinics nationwide, offering senior citizens affordable and accessible healthcare.
However, investigations revealed that a small number of clinics had engaged in misconduct. Complaints included the provision of unauthorised medical products, misuse of benefits by ineligible individuals, and discrepancies between services delivered and items recorded on receipts.
Dato Sri Fatimah stressed that such practices violated the Memorandum of Agreement and clinical guidelines governing the SCHB programme.
She confirmed that the Sarawak Community Welfare Department had initiated audits and internal investigations, imposed temporary suspensions, and barred the implicated clinics from receiving SCHB patients during the inquiry period.
“The government will not compromise on breaches of agreement terms, professional ethics or existing laws. Appropriate action will continue to be taken without prejudice,” she said.
Despite the enforcement measures, she assured that the welfare of senior citizens remains the government’s priority.
Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure the programme continues to operate effectively and credibly.
The SCHB initiative is part of Sarawak’s broader healthcare agenda, aimed at reducing financial burdens for senior citizens while promoting equitable access to medical services.
The government’s firm stance against misconduct reflects its determination to maintain transparency and safeguard public trust.
The briefing was also attended by Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Sarawak Director Abdul Hamediee Ibrahim, and Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) chief ACP Mustafa Kamal Gani Ab.
With continued oversight and enforcement, the SCHB programme is expected to remain a cornerstone of senior citizen welfare in Sarawak, ensuring that healthcare benefits reach those most in need.
