When necessity becomes luxury: Malaysians fret as medical insurance premiums rise

PETALING JAYA - Rising private medical insurance premiums are leaving policyholders in Malaysia outraged.

They are now forced to choose between two equally bitter pills: gritting their teeth and continuing with their coverage, or giving up their policies altogether.

Facebook user Julian Chong said his wife had to cancel her policy as the monthly premium had risen from RM300 (S$90) to RM700.

"The policy that was said to be fixed to the premium age of 80-plus increased... The insurance company issued a letter saying that the overall average claims by patients had increased, along with hospital bills," he said.

Mr Chong accused insurance firms of being "relentless" in seeking to increase their profits.

"Bonuses and dividends to shareholders have increased," he posted on Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin's page, which has been highlighting the controversy surrounding the expected increase in medical insurance premiums.

Last week, Mr Sim said MPs had received dozens of complaints about rising health insurance premiums.

For executive Nurul Basha, 31, who has three children, not having insurance is not an option as her children are still young.

"I have three children aged between six and one and they do get sick every now and then," she said.

"Having a medical card is essential because I cannot afford to pay for hospital charges on my own as they are getting expensive.