An opposition MP has warned that the National Healthcare Financing Authority (NHFA) which is likely to collect premiums from Malaysians starting next year, will become another cash cow for the BN federal government.

NONE In a statement issued today, Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa ( right ) said it would become compulsory for all Malaysians earning a monthly income to pay premium to the NHFA, which is likely to start operations in the first half of 2012, in order to receive medical treatment in government hospitals as well as in private clinics.

“Despite paying the premium, we will have to fork out more money because the premium will only cover very basic treatment.

“The question is, what will happen to people who do not have an monthly income, or no longer have an income? Where will they get their medical treatment?” Mujahid asked.

Another crony-led GLC?

The lawmaker from PAS is worried that the NHFA may be turned into a government-linked company (GLC) and be led by a BN crony.

“If this is so, then we are likely to be doomed because the possibility of money being abused is great, judging from the way other GLCs are run.

“We have seen too many cases of the top management receiving salaries and perks that take up a huge percentage of the operations cost,” Mujahid said.

With millions of Malaysians paying premiums each month, he said, the NHFA would stand to get a windfall that will be at the BN government’s disposal.

“There is a possibility of this new GLC being their latest cash cow,” he added.

He called on the public to attend a public forum on ‘Reforming the Malaysian Healthcare System: Is there a need?’ at the YMCA on Jalan Macalister, Penang, from 1pm to 6pm on Nov 27.

According to Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, the NHFA is a non-profit government organisation that will manage the national healthcare fund under the National 1Care Health Scheme (1Care), a government scheme to provide affordable medical treatment to all Malaysians.

Liow said the 1Care would provide protection to the people through a comprehensive social insurance scheme that would be packaged with clear and transparent benefits.