KLANG – Selangor is intensifying its efforts to position itself as one of the region’s top medical tourism hubs, capitalising on its world-class healthcare infrastructure and growing international interest in health travel.
According to State Government and Tourism Committee Chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, Selangor has intensified its promotional campaigns over the past two years to highlight the capabilities of its 42 private hospitals and the high quality of its medical services.
“Selangor currently ranks third in Malaysia’s medical tourism sector, after Penang and Melaka,” he said, adding that the state is now focusing on capturing a larger share of the Indonesian market, where Malaysia is already a preferred destination for medical second opinions, health screenings, cosmetic procedures, and a wide range of treatments and surgeries.
Ng noted that Indonesian medical tourists, particularly those from Jakarta and Medan, often travel with family members, caregivers, or domestic helpers, contributing not only to the healthcare economy but also to the tourism sector..
“While patients receive treatment, their families stay at premium hotels, visit local attractions, and shop extensively—providing a significant boost to our tourism industry,” he said.
To extend its reach beyond Jakarta and Medan, Selangor has partnered with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to promote the state in key Indonesian cities such as Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and Makassar.
Promotional campaigns include hospital showcases, exhibitions, and a dedicated theme song titled Liburan Sehat Ya Di Selangor Aja! (Enjoy a Healthy Vacation in Selangor!), aligned with Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Ng pointed out that more Indonesian travellers are now turning to Malaysia for medical care due to the rising costs of treatment in Singapore, driven by currency strength. “This is a prime opportunity for Selangor to position itself as an affordable and high-quality healthcare alternative,” he added.
Thanks to these targeted initiatives, medical tourist arrivals to Selangor have seen a more than 10% increase in the first half of this year.
Echoing the growth, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, said that most international patients come for treatments in fertility, gastroenterology, and oncology.
He revealed that around 80% of medical tourists travel to Malaysia for specific treatments, while the remaining 20% come for health screenings, with the majority of visitors originating from Indonesia, China, and India.
With Selangor improving its healthcare services and global visibility, the state is well on track to become a major player in the medical tourism sector.
