KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to maintain its position as a leading medical tourism hub in the region and remain competitively priced, despite the recent imposition of a six per cent Sales and Service Tax (SST) on medical tourists.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this was because Malaysia's medical costs are at least 30 to 40 per cent lower compared to neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore across several major treatment categories.

These include gastroenterology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and oncology.

"At the same time, the country's medical tourism sector not only offers competitive pricing but is also recognised for its high-quality services and effective treatments.

"It also highlights Malaysian hospitality, which remains a major draw for medical tourists," he said in a written parliamentary reply.

Dzulkefly said Malaysia's medical tourism revenue rose to RM2.72 billion last year, a 21 per cent increase compared to 2023.

He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN–Kuala Langat), who asked about the implications of the SST expansion on Malaysia's reputation as the region's top medical tourism destination.