As of July 2026, 12,575 people in Malaysia were still waiting for organ transplants. Between January and August 2026, only 102 people became deceased organ donors — up from 89 for the whole of 2025, but still nowhere near enough, according to the Ministry of Health via Malay Mail.
Registering as a pledger takes a few minutes. It also, on its own, changes very little — and that gap is worth understanding before you sign up.
Why this matters right now
Malaysia has roughly 412,000 registered organ donor pledgers, with about 15,000 new pledges added in 2025. But around 90% of potential deceased organ donations don't go ahead, because the donor's family refuses consent at the final step — even when the person had pledged, according to CodeBlue, citing the National Transplant Resource Centre. As its director put it: "We have many pledgers. [But] that does not mean they are our supply."
That single fact reframes the whole process. Pledging matters, but it's not the step that decides what happens.
Who can pledge
There's no fixed minimum age to register, but anyone under 18 needs written parental permission. You cannot pledge if you're living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, or syphilis. Registration is free, and no health screening is required just to pledge — eligibility for an actual donation is assessed separately, at the time it's relevant, rather than at the point you register.
This is worth repeating because it trips people up: pledging doesn't mean a doctor has cleared you as a viable donor today. It means you've stated your wish, on record, for that assessment to happen if the situation ever arises.
Method 1: Register via MySejahtera
- Open the MySejahtera app and log in.
- On the home screen, tap the Organ Donor Pledge shortcut icon.
- Read the information provided about organ and tissue donation.
- Tap Start to begin your pledge.
- Fill in your next-of-kin's details — name, IC number, contact number and relationship to you.
- Submit. Your pledge card appears on your profile after you refresh the app.
Your next-of-kin is automatically notified of your pledge. You can withdraw your pledge at any time from the same menu — a withdrawn card is greyed out for 14 days before you're able to re-pledge.
Method 2: Register via the Derma Organ website
- Go to dermaorgan.gov.my.
- Complete the pledger registration form.
- Choose which organs and tissues you're willing to donate.
- Submit — the form takes about five minutes.
- You'll receive an email confirmation within seconds.
- A physical pledge card arrives by mail in about three weeks. Sign it and carry it with you.
This route is useful if you'd rather not use the MySejahtera app, or if you want the physical card as a visible reminder.
The step most people skip: telling your family
This is the actual content gap in most organ-donor explainers, and it's the single most important step in either method above. A pledge card, in either its app or physical form, carries no legal authority to override next-of-kin consent in Malaysia. If your family doesn't know you pledged — or doesn't agree with it — they can, and often do, decline on your behalf at the moment it matters most.
Tell the people who'd be asked. Not "mention it once at dinner and move on" — make sure they know clearly enough that they wouldn't be caught off guard, and ideally that they understand why you made the decision. A short, direct conversation works better than a dramatic one: mention that you've pledged, say briefly why, and ask if they'd honour it. Revisit it occasionally rather than treating it as a one-time announcement, especially if your family situation changes — a new spouse, a parent who wasn't part of the first conversation, or a sibling who's since become your listed next-of-kin on the pledge itself.
How to withdraw or change your pledge
Both MySejahtera and the Derma Organ site let you update or withdraw your pledge. In MySejahtera, use the same Organ Donor Pledge menu and select the withdrawal option — the card is greyed out for 14 days as a cooling-off period before re-pledging is possible. On the Derma Organ site, the same registration form doubles as your update form — you can revisit it to change your organ preferences or remove yourself from the register entirely.
FAQ
Is a pledge legally binding?
No. A pledge card does not carry legal authority to override next-of-kin consent. Your family's agreement is what ultimately decides whether a donation proceeds.
Can I choose which organs or tissues I donate?
Yes, particularly through the Derma Organ website's registration form, which lets you specify your preferences.
Does it cost anything to register?
No. Registration is free through both MySejahtera and the Derma Organ website.
What disqualifies me from pledging?
Living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or syphilis disqualifies you from pledging. There's no blanket age disqualification, though under-18s need parental permission.
Can non-citizens register as organ donors in Malaysia?
The official registration channels are built around MyKad and MySejahtera accounts tied to Malaysian identification; non-citizens should check directly with the National Transplant Resource Centre for their specific situation.
If you're weighing this alongside other ways to help through Malaysia's health system, our guide on how to donate blood in Malaysia covers a related but separate process. For managing your own health admin, see how to book a klinik kesihatan appointment via MySejahtera, and if you're due for a screening yourself, here's how the LPPKN's free mammogram scheme works this Pink October.
