KUCHING: Kota Sentosa state assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Sau Sin, has rejected claims by Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak’s leader, Chong Chieng Jen, that the state government’s debt figures are contradictory, calling them outdated and misleading.
Yap said that Chong had added the maximum borrowings of several state-owned companies and presented the total as “Sarawak’s debt”, which was inaccurate.
“Not all these borrowings are considered government debt. Many are project-based loans repaid through the projects themselves, not from the state budget,” he said in a statement.
He highlighted that Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas correctly stated in the recent State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting that Sarawak’s official debt stood at around 11 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), one of the lowest in Malaysia.
“By comparison, federal debt totals approximately RM1.32 trillion, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 65.3 per cent as of end-September 2025,” he said.
Yap noted that Chong had used figures from 2023 to attack explanations given in 2025.
“Loans change over time; some parts may not be fully drawn down, some repaid and some refinanced. His numbers do not reflect the current financial position of the state,” he said.
He also pointed out that Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) had affirmed Sarawak’s AAA sub-sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook, reflecting substantial fiscal buffers, persistent surpluses, and strong political representation.
“The Deputy Premier also reiterated that Sarawak received a Clean Certificate from the Auditor-General for the Public Accounts 2024, marking the 23rd consecutive year of recognition for transparency, accountability and integrity,” he said.
Yap emphasised that borrowings under the state’s Alternative Funding Model were used for long-term development projects, including water supply upgrades, rural roads, coastal protection and digital infrastructure, not for daily operating costs.
He urged the opposition to avoid creating unnecessary public concern.
“The GPS government remains transparent, responsible and committed to prudent financial management while delivering development for all Sarawakians.
“The people deserve honest and constructive politics, not distractions,” Yap said.
