M’sian Pharmacist Resigns After KKM Downgraded Her Grade For Her Posting in Sabah

Many doctors under the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) are unhappy as they are allegedly constantly in a limbo with the contract system and the lack of support.

This has led many of them to leave KKM and seek opportunities elsewhere, where their services might be more appreciated.

A pharmacist, Afifah Aziz, took to her Facebook profile to share why she had ‘betrayed’ (resigned from her role with) KKM, as she points out that they were betraying her first.

She wrote, “I always figured myself as a loyal person. But in truth, I’m just not comfortable with exposing myself to a new culture, new workplace, new everything, so believe me, this decision didn’t come as breezy as you would hope.”

“But then again, my personal experience is what had pushed me to the edge. The precursor of why I chose to ‘betray’ KKM (as some would address it) is because they’ve done it to me first.”

One important aspect of this story that you need to understand is that KKM pays their employees based on grades.

For example, the pharmacy department has grades of UF41, UF44, UF48, UF52 and UF54. The higher the grade, the higher the income.

“After 4 years of being denied a permanent posting, with a grade of UF44, I was called to report for duty in Sabah with the grade of UF41. Downgrading my grade means disregarding all of my 4 years of service in KKM all this while. ‘It’s a new appointment‘ they said’.”

“I said, ‘it’s okay, at least it’s a permanent posting. I don’t value people by grade so it shouldn’t be any different for me too. Let’s do it‘.”

But due to her grade dropping from UF44 to UF41, Afifah explained to WORLD OF BUZZ that her salary did not change but her allowance did. But this downgrade also meant that her move to Sabah was no longer covered by KKM.

“Our travelling expenses are covered but not our car and belongings transportation.”

“Although it is our services that are needed in a place far, far away from what we call home, we were treated like desperate beggars for work. Usual connotation thrown by those who came before us were ‘it’s normal la, they will say if you don’t want to, quit la. Many others want your spot‘,” she added.

Despite this, Afifah still pushed through and decided to make the move.

But here’s where they drew her last straw. 

“You’re no longer eligible to be paid as per UF44, we will deduct the sum of money we ‘overpaid’ you and start paying you with lowered wages because you’re now UF41,” KKM allegedly told her.

“This was the final straw. It’s not the money, it’s the gesture.”

Basically, she was still being paid UF44 wages when they informed her of her change to UF41 and while pending the process of downgrading her. This was the amount they meant to deduct.

“It’s not easy moving out and being far away from your family but I had held my anger in because I’ve heard much, much worse experiences from my other colleagues.”

“I’m not alone in this but what’s the point of us speaking out if our voices do no echo? That is why when unexpectedly, I was offered a job in the Peninsular Malaysia, it took me only 3 days to decide with a question nobody was able to answer, ‘am I losing anything if I quit KKM?‘,” she said.

Afifah has since resigned from her KKM position and has flown back to her hometown in Kulim, Kedah, where she will be spending some quality time with her family and resting before she takes her next steps towards a new position.

Our local medical personnel truly deserve better.

Have a similar experience? Do feel free to share in the comment section.

Also read: Bukit Gasing B40 Community Members Can Now Enjoy Subsidised Medical Consultations at Only RM5!