PUTRAJAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) needs more time to come up with an interim solution to the medical insurance premium hike issue.
Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister had informed the cabinet today (Dec 13) that BNM would make an announcement soon.
"The prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) informed during the Prime Minister's Question Time session last Tuesday that BNM would conduct an evaluation and discussion before announcing a decision on the issue of increased medical insurance premiums.
"Today (Dec 13), the prime minister informed the cabinet that a little more time is needed, but BNM will make an announcement soon," he said during a post-cabinet meeting press conference.
Fahmi said he hoped that the announcement would provide relief to insurance buyers, and Malaysians in general, who expect the matter to be handled fairly and appropriately.
On Tuesday, Anwar said BNM, the Treasury Department and the Health Ministry were reviewing the increase in medical insurance premiums.
He said strict guidance would be issued for medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) and insurers and takaful operators (ITO) to take into consideration.
The Health Ministry and BNM, he said, were in the process of adjusting the increase of medical so that it would be considered reasonable and not burdensome.
Yesterday (Dec 12), Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan in the Dewan Rakyat said BNM would announce further details on interim measures to address the rise in medical insurance premiums next week.
Amir Hamzah said BNM would ensure that the increase in medical insurance premiums was implemented in an orderly and gradual manner, along with other assistance for certain groups.