A Malaysian doctor has taken to Facebook to explain why he decided to leave Malaysia again, just months after returning from the UK, saying the salary he was offered for a public hospital position was similar to what a non-professional Thai restaurant chef can earn in the country.
His post, which has since garnered over 3,000 shares and more than 6,000 reactions, detailed how he returned to Malaysia in June with the hope of rejoining the public healthcare sector, combining his local clinical experience with two years of clinical research at the University of Cambridge.
He said he could have easily found work in the private sector as a GP or medical resident, but that was not aligned with his long-term career goals.
Offered lowest doctor grade, pay comparable to Thai restaurant chef in Malaysia
Recalling his application to a local university hospital, he said he waited months without updates and followed up repeatedly. When an offer finally came in August, it was for the lowest doctor grade, UD10, with a gross salary of about RM5,800.
“That’s roughly the same as what a Thai restaurant chef can earn in Malaysia,” he wrote.
The doctor, who is now working in Ireland as a Medical Registrar, a role equivalent to UD48–UD52 in Malaysia, said the difference in recognition and pay between the two countries was stark.
Criticises Malaysia’s healthcare system for undervaluing doctors
While he declined to name the hospital that made the offer, he stressed that his criticism was aimed at Malaysia’s healthcare system as a whole, not at individual institutions. He also expressed gratitude to former consultants and bosses in Malaysia who provided professional references that helped advance his career abroad.
But the experience, he said, left him questioning how his home country values its doctors, especially after years of investing time, energy, and personal finances to gain skills overseas.
He also pointed out that many of his colleagues in the Ministry of Health remain stuck at UD10–UD11 despite securing permanent positions and having served for more than five years.
“If Malaysia cannot respect and retain its own doctors, then don’t be surprised when we choose to serve elsewhere — where our skills are valued, and our sacrifices mean something,” he wrote.
The post ended with a challenge to critics: “Is it fair to label me ‘unpatriotic’ for staying abroad, or is the system itself failing to value its own doctors?”
You may read his post in full text below:
🇲🇾 When Your Own Country Doesn’t Value You
In June, I made a tough decision — to leave Malaysia again, just months after returning from the UK. My intention was sincere: to find a way to return to the public healthcare sector, combining my clinical experience in Malaysia with two years of clinical research at the world-renowned University of Cambridge.
I could easily secure any GP/medical resident job within the private sector in Malaysia if I wanted, but that does not align with my long-term career plan.
I had once attended an interview at a local university hospital. Waited for months, following up repeatedly and being ghosted. In August, an offer finally came — but at the lowest doctor grade: UD10, with a total gross salary of around RM5,800 — roughly the same as what a non-professional Thai restaurant chef can earn in Malaysia.
Here in Ireland, I am entrusted with a position equivalent to a Medical Registrar (UD48–UD52/12-13 range in Malaysia), deserve a higher salary. I don’t mention this to boast, but to highlight the vast difference in how my skills and training are recognised.
I would rather hide full details stating the specific hospital/institution, since my point of criticism should be targeting the Malaysian health sector in general.I have never looked down on university hospitals in Malaysia. In fact, several of my former consultants or bosses from these very institutions were the ones who generously provided professional references that helped me advance my career abroad. For that, I remain deeply grateful.
But after years of sacrificing my time, energy, and personal finances to gain skills and experience abroad, this is how my own country values me.
So tell me — is it fair to label me “unpatriotic” for staying abroad, or is the system itself failing to value its own doctors?
Attached is the actual offer letter I received only two days ago — you decide if this is how Malaysia should treat its own fairly “still young” talent like me.
And I know I’m not alone. My fellow colleagues in KKM are still stuck at UD10-11 despite securing permanent positions and have spent way longer than five years in service.
If Malaysia cannot respect and retain its own doctors, then don’t be surprised when we choose to serve elsewhere — where our skills are valued, and our sacrifices mean something.
How can you survive on a monthly salary of RM5,000 before tax deductions? It doesn’t make sense. A job that saves lives and improves people’s health is paid such an insignificant salary, especially in rural areas.
