KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — A total of RM30.47 million in unpaid medical fees was written off by the Health Ministry between 2012 and 2014, according to the second series of the Auditor-General’s (A-G) 2014 report released today.

Of that amount, RM15.44 million was accrued by Malaysian citizens, while another RM15.03 million was unpaid by foreigners.

The worst offenders were four hospitals: the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star, the Bintulu Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota KInabalu, and the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu.

“In addition, there is an increase of write-offs amounting to RM6.03 million (98.2 per cent) in 2013 compared to the previous year,” said the report.

The write-offs in the four abovementioned hospitals alone totalled RM7.62 million between 2012 and 2014, the report said.

The Health Ministry has been criticised by the A-G for its inefficient and delayed write-off process, with the latter suggesting that the former must reduce its amount in  write-offs.