Financial Pressure And Work Strain Leave Young Malaysian Doctors Struggling

Samuel Chua

7th October 2025 - 5 min read

Two recent cases have highlighted the growing financial and emotional strain faced by Malaysian doctors, underscoring broader issues of debt, work-life balance, and migration within the medical profession.

In Johor, a young doctor fell into severe debt after borrowing from multiple illegal moneylenders to keep up with his friends’ lifestyles. Meanwhile, another Malaysian doctor, now working in Australia, shared her experience of improved working conditions abroad, prompting fresh discussion about the challenges faced by local healthcare workers.

Young Doctor In Johor Trapped In Mounting Debt

A 27-year-old doctor in Johor has reportedly fallen deep into debt after borrowing from several loan sharks to maintain a glamorous lifestyle.

According to Skudai state assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim, the doctor first took a RM5,000 loan from an illegal moneylender to fund a holiday. However, when he struggled to repay the loan, he began borrowing from other groups to cover earlier debts.

“He ended up owing seven to eight different loan shark groups. His monthly salary is no longer enough to cover the payments,” Marina said.

She described the case as a classic example of “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” where one loan is taken to repay another. The doctor, now facing mounting pressure from creditors, sought help from her office after realising he could no longer manage the situation.

Marina urged Malaysians, especially young professionals, to think carefully before taking on debt for non-essential purposes. She warned that families are often left to bear the burden when borrowers fall behind on payments, adding that she has seen cases where parents are forced to sell property to settle their children’s debts.

Malaysian Doctor In Australia Shares Reality Of Working Conditions

In a separate case, a Malaysian doctor now based in Australia shared her experience of working in both countries, highlighting significant differences in pay, workload, and treatment of healthcare workers.

The doctor, Yeap, resigned from her Malaysian hospital position last year and moved to Australia to continue her medical career. She said that while working in Malaysia, she earned around RM4,500 per month, often clocking more than 60 hours a week without overtime pay.

In Australia, her base salary for a 76-hour fortnight is 3,800 Australian dollars, equivalent to about RM11,560. She receives additional allowances for weekend, night, or public holiday shifts, with overtime paid at rates between 1.52 and 2 times her base pay. Night shifts can earn as much as 138 Australian dollars (RM383) per hour.

Longer Hours And Limited Leave In Malaysia

Yeap also described the difficulties Malaysian doctors face in taking leave. She said that in her previous role, annual leave was often denied or limited to a few days per month. Doctors were also required to find their own replacements before taking time off.

In Australia, she explained, doctors are entitled to five weeks of annual leave and 28 days of sick leave each year. Medical certificates are not required for sick leave shorter than three days.

She added that while Malaysian doctors often begin work as early as 6 a.m. and finish late into the night, her schedule in Australia is far more balanced, averaging two to three shifts per week. After completing an overnight shift, doctors are allowed several days of rest.

Workplace Culture And Treatment Of Junior Doctors

Yeap noted that in Malaysia, junior doctors are sometimes reprimanded for not completing tasks, even if they have had to skip meals to do so. In contrast, in Australia, taking breaks is mandatory, and colleagues at all levels treat each other with respect.

“In Australia, even lunch breaks are compulsory. If a doctor refuses to rest, they are told to take a break anyway,” she said in her Facebook post.

She described a more collaborative work environment overseas, where consultants, registrars, and interns communicate openly and support one another.

Public Reactions And Clarification

Yeap’s post sparked wide discussion online. Some social media users accused her of attempting to encourage Malaysian doctors to migrate, while others supported her for sharing her personal experience. Many agreed that every individual has the right to seek better working conditions and that improving treatment of healthcare workers in Malaysia could help reduce brain drain.

Yeap also clarified that her post was meant to share her experience, not to persuade others to leave Malaysia. She said she hoped to provide insight into alternative career paths and to encourage open discussion about improving working conditions for doctors at home.

A Shared Challenge For Young Professionals

Both stories reflect the challenges faced by young Malaysian professionals, particularly in balancing financial responsibilities with demanding careers. Rising living costs, student loan repayments, and lifestyle pressures have made it difficult for many to maintain healthy financial habits.

Findings from the RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey (RMFLS) 2025 show that 47% of Malaysians live paycheck to paycheck, while only 27% of middle-income earners can sustain themselves for more than six months using their savings. These figures highlight how financial pressure continues to affect working Malaysians, even among those in traditionally stable professions.

Experts and policymakers have emphasised the importance of financial literacy, responsible borrowing, and supportive workplace structures to help young professionals manage stress and avoid long-term debt.

As Malaysia continues efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and retain medical talent, both cases serve as reminders of the need for better financial awareness, balanced lifestyles, and sustainable career support for the country’s young professionals.

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