KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 2 -- The Health Ministry (MoH) is reportedly facing a nationwide shortage of 1,176 vehicle drivers, including those assigned to ambulances, with the vacancies expected to persist until at least April next year.

Berita Harian reported that the ministry attributed the shortage to delays in recruiting General Service Assistants (Driving) after the Public Service Department temporarily suspended recruitment through the Public Services Commission (PSC) in 2024 to facilitate implementation of the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).

Under the SSPA, the former vehicle driver scheme was merged into the new General Service Assistant scheme, requiring recruitment requirements to be reviewed, particularly for personnel...