KUCHING, Oct. 1 -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to urgently revert to the previous percentage-based Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) and introduce stronger incentives to attract and retain doctors in Sabah and Sarawak, following reports of widespread no-shows among medical officers (MOs) posted to permanent positions in the two states.

MMA president Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan said the association was deeply concerned by reports that large numbers of MOs did not report for their permanent postings on September 28.

"Some facilities reportedly received no new medical officers, while others recorded no-show rates of between 70 per cent and 76 per cent. The official figures should be urgently verified a...