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Top 5 at 5: Is Medical Tourism Actually Economically Beneficial?
43 mins·17:00, 24 Apr 2026
Top 5 at 5: Is Medical Tourism Actually Economically Beneficial?
43 mins
·
17:00, 24 Apr 2026
·
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Guest: Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid, President, Malaysian Health Economic Association
Last year, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) launched the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026) to attract more international healthcare travelers. This move was widely contested by those who argue that government funds and MHTC's resources should be focused on fixing the public healthcare system rather than subsidizing private sector growth. First, we hear from economist Geoffrey Williams about his concerns with the MHTC's claims. Then, Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid, President of the Malaysian Health Economic Association joins us to weigh out both sides of the argument. (Starts at 21:12)
• Home Ministry revokes ban on some previously announced books: Home Ministry revokes ban on some previously announced books: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the ministry is planning to revoke the recently announced bans of works like the memoir of Shamsiah Fakeh and the Malay translation of an academic book on Mao Zedong. They are also planning to enact a mechanism that allows for review before enforcement. Notably, 'Sigandi,' a novel by Tamil writer M Navin still remains banned - a move he is not planning to contest. We hear from Navin on his decision behind that. (Starts at 16:18)
• Calls grow to bring our elephants home: Many Malaysians have been speaking up for three elephants Dara, Amoi and Kelat to be returned home after they were sent to the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka back in March, citing concerns of poor treatment. This morning, a coalition of NGOs organised a peaceful protest along with an online petition that has over 100,000 signatures demanding the government to announce the status of the elephants. We discuss this. (Starts at 11:26)
• Negeri Sembilan royal dispute continues: Following a boycott called by the Undang yang Empat, the egeri Sembilan state legislative assembly has been halted indefinitely. We hear from constitutional lawyer Surendra Ananth about how this impacts the state assembly, and where the limits of the four Undangs lie. (Starts at 6:35)
• Billionaires think work-life balance is a red flag: In an article with Fortune, BUPA CEO Inaki Ereno said people need to love their jobs instead of trying to escape them to strive for a work-life balance. We hear about the other successful individuals that subscribe to this mentality, and discuss if the opinion holds any weight for regular salaried workers. (Starts at 0:22)
Image Credit: Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad Facebook
Presenter: Lee Chwi Lynn, Dashran Yohan
Producer: Tee Shiao Eek, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs, Sudais Ferhard
Malaysia medical tourism 2026public vs private healthcareShamsiah Fakeh memoirbring home elephantsMalaysian elephants Osaka zoo protestwork debateMalaysia book ban communist memoirsNegeri Sembilan royalconstitutional monarchywork life balance
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