A COMPARISON OF TELEMEDICINE IN INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA: A LEGAL AND POLICY REVIEW
Keywords:
Comparison, Digital Health Platforms, TelemedicineAbstract
This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing digital health platforms for telemedicine services in Indonesia and Malaysia. By examining the legal structures, challenges, and opportunities in implementing telemedicine through private digital platforms, the study identifies key differences and similarities between the two countries. The study uses a normative legal approach, combining legislative analysis and comparative law. The study evaluates relevant laws and regulations in both countries, including Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health in Indonesia and the Telemedicine Act 1997 in Malaysia. The analysis focuses on platform-based models, such as Halodoc in Indonesia and BookDoc in Malaysia, to assess regulatory compliance, data protection measures, and their implications for healthcare access and patient safety. The findings reveal significant regulatory gaps in Indonesia, particularly regarding legal recognition of private platforms and unclear accountability mechanisms. In contrast, Malaysia's more integrated regulatory framework facilitates smoother collaboration between the public and private sectors. The study concludes with recommendations for policy improvements in Indonesia, emphasizing the need for clearer regulations to ensure legal certainty, patient protection, and service quality in telemedicine practices.
References
Adhalia, C. K. (2023). The Limitations of Clinical Authority and Medical Practice in Application-Based Telemedicine. Indonesia Private Law Review, 4(1), 49–50.
Annur, C. M. (2022). Layanan Telemedicine yang Paling Banyak Digunakan di Indonesia, Apa Saja? Databoks.Katadata.Co.Id.
Anwar, A. (2013). Legal Aspects of Telemedicine. Pattimura University.
Healthcare Innovation Editors. (2015). Mobile health app BookDoc launched in Malaysia. Questex Media. Enterpriseinnovation.Net.
Nasir, C., Ichsan, N., & Attas, N. H. (2022). Comparison of Legal Protection of Telemedicine Services in Indonesia and Malaysia. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education, 3(2), 221–230.
Ng, S. W., Hwong, W. Y., Husin, M., Rahman, N. A., Nasir, N. H., Juval, K., & Sivasampu, S. (2022). Assessing The Availability of Teleconsultation and The Extent of Its Use in Malaysian Public Primary Care Clinics: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(5).
Nugraha, M. R. (2024). Aturan tentang Konsultasi Dokter Jarak Jauh (Telemedicine). Hukumonline.Com.
Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 2052/MENKES/PER/X/2011 Tentang Izin Praktik Dan Pelaksanaan Praktik Kedokteran Oleh Dokter Dan Dokter Gigi (2011).
Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 28 Tahun 2024 Tentang Peraturan Pelaksanaan Undang-Undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2023 Tentang Kesehatan (2024).
Rasyidah, A., & Delfina, D. (2021). Tinjauan Hukum Izin Praktik Dokter Atas Penyelenggaraan Pelayanan Telemedicine. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Artificial Dalam Bidang Hukum Di Era Teknologi Informasi: Tantangan Dan Peluang, 85–94.
Tan, S.-H., Wong, C.-K., Yap, Y.-Y., & Tan, S.-K. (2024). Factors Influencing Telemedicine Adoption Among Physicians in the Malaysian Healthcare System: A Revisit. Digital Health, 10.
Telemedicine Act 1997 (Act 564), Sections 3, Laws of Malaysia. (1997).
Telemedicine Act 1997 (Act 564), Sections 4, Laws of Malaysia (1997).
Undang-Undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2023 Tentang Kesehatan (2023).
Wahyudin, B., Arie, M., Irwansyah, Suwondo, S. S., & Assefa, R. (2025). Legal Protection for Doctors in Telemedicine Services: A Human Rights and Comparative Law Perspective. Jurnal Suara Hukum, 7(1), 124–155.
World Medical Association. (2022). WMA Statement on The Ethics of Telemedicine. Wma.Net.
