REPOK assemblyman Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii has called for urgent attention to several pressing issues in Sarikei that require priority under the 2026 State Budget, including healthcare capacity, rural water supply, infrastructure needs and affordable housing.
He said the Sarikei Health Clinic on Jalan Hospital Lama has reached its maximum capacity and can no longer cope with the rising number of patients.
“As a primary healthcare facility, the cramped space and limited amenities affect service quality and patient comfort, while also putting pressure on healthcare staff,” he said when debating the Supply (2026) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Nov 26).
Huang urged the state to prioritise the construction of the new polyclinic under the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
On rural water supply, Huang highlighted that several interior communities in Ulu Sungai Rusa, including Sungai Mawang and Sungai Kuap still lack access to treated water.
He appealed for the treated water supply project for rural Sarikei to be expedited to ensure a more comfortable and healthy living environment for the affected population.
Huang also raised the need for a new commercial wharf, saying the only existing commercial jetty at Sungai Nyelong is outdated and no longer suitable for cargo-handling activities.
He expressed appreciation to the Sarawak government and the Ministry of Transport for approving a new RM16 million commercial wharf at Seberang Sungai Nyelong during a working visit in late 2024.
“I first raised this request on 28 July 2018. I hope the implementation of this project can be accelerated so its benefits can be enjoyed by the people of Sarikei,” he said.
Huang also sought clarification on the current status of the Reinforced Concrete Commercial Wharf project, including its expected completion and operational dates.
Turning to housing needs, Huang said demand for affordable homes in Sarikei is growing rapidly, especially among young families and middle-income civil servants.
“With rising living costs and a growing population, the need for an additional phase of affordable housing in Sarikei is becoming increasingly urgent,” he said.
He urged the government to seriously consider expanding affordable housing projects so more families can own homes and build an inclusive and resilient community.
Huang also proposed the construction of a new Sarikei convention hall, noting that the current facility can only accommodate around 1,000 people.
“The limited capacity restricts the hosting of large-scale programmes that could benefit the community,” he said.
A modern and larger convention hall, he added, would support government events, exhibitions, tourism activities and community programmes while boosting Sarikei’s local economy.
