Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan Emerge as New Medical Tourism Destinations in Malaysia
Malaysia has long been recognised as a premier medical tourism destination for Indonesians, with cities such as Penang, Melaka, and Kuala Lumpur being the preferred choices due to high-quality healthcare, advanced technology, competitive costs, and cultural ease. However, as demand grows for more exclusive and comfortable healthcare services, Malaysia’s East Coast is emerging as a new force. Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan are now presenting themselves as alternative medical tourism destinations ready to serve international patients, particularly from Indonesia.
Accessible via domestic flights or land routes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), these cities are easily reachable for the Indonesian public. Both cities offer specialised healthcare services through the KMI Healthcare network, maintaining standards comparable to Malaysia’s major hospitals while offering a quieter atmosphere, shorter waiting times, and a more comfortable recovery experience. This expansion provides more options for Indonesians who have traditionally relied on Penang or Kuala Lumpur.
KMI Healthcare is a network of specialist hospitals under the Medic Iman Group, which has operated in Malaysia for nearly three decades. With five specialist hospitals, KMI Healthcare emphasises patient-centred care, supported by experienced specialists, modern facilities, and evolving medical technology. In Kuala Terengganu, the KMI Kuala Terengganu Medical Centre provides various specialist services including cardiology, orthopaedics, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and radiology. The hospital is notable for its all-single-room inpatient concept, providing enhanced privacy and a tranquil environment conducive to recovery.
“We offer rooms with beautiful views, including both city and sea vistas. Not many hospitals in Malaysia possess such views. If patients stay on the 4th, 5th, or 8th floors, the sea view is clearly visible. We hope to attract more Indonesian patients to seek treatment at KMI Kuala Terengganu, while simultaneously developing the tourism industry in Terengganu,” stated Muhammad Ghazali Zainal Yusof, General Manager of KMI Kuala Terengganu Medical Centre, in an official statement.
Similarly, KMI Kuantan Medical Centre offers comprehensive specialist services, ranging from cardiology, orthopaedics, and surgery to internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, and expanding cancer care services. The hospital also adopts a single-bedded room concept for all inpatients as part of its commitment to comfort and privacy. Professor Mokhtar bin Awang, Medical Director of KMI Kuantan Medical Centre, emphasised that the facilities on the East Coast are now highly capable, noting plans to upgrade cardiology, rehabilitation, and eye care facilities in the future.
Beyond medical advantages, both cities offer attractive tourist destinations for recovery or for accompanying family members. Kuala Terengganu features the iconic Drawbridge and local culinary hubs at Pasar Payang, while Kuantan offers 360-degree views from the Kuantan 188 tower, history at the Sungai Lembing Museum, and relaxation at Teluk Chempedak Beach. The presence of Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan through the KMI Healthcare network provides broader choices for Indonesian medical tourists seeking high-quality care within a soothing holiday atmosphere.