KUCHING: The Sarawak Cancer Centre, which will be the largest and only full-fledged dedicated cancer centre in Malaysia, was among four strategic national projects presented at the Special Meeting to Monitor National Strategic Projects Bil. 3/2025 chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on Monday (Dec 15).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the cancer centre, a Ministry of Health (MoH) public hospital implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia, will significantly strengthen cancer care in the state and the country.
“The Sarawak Cancer Centre will have 310 beds with a gross floor area of about 154,498 square metres and an estimated cost of RM1.5 billion. It is a crucial facility that Sarawak has long needed so our specialists at Sarawak General Hospital can do much more for cancer patients here,” he said in his Facebook post.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, welcomed the Prime Minister’s directive for JKR Malaysia to expedite the project, with clear milestones set to tender the project by the first quarter of 2026, begin construction by the third quarter of 2026, and ensure completion and operations before 2031.
He added that the Sarawak government is supporting the project through a RM1 billion loan to the Federal Government, underscoring the state’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services.
Dr Sim said the centre will also be a key component of the Sarawak Health Metropolis in Samarahan, spanning a six-kilometre corridor that integrates a medical and research hub including the Sarawak Heart Centre, Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre and UNIMAS Hospital alongside higher learning and research institutions such as UNIMAS, UiTM Sarawak and the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, as well as nearby manufacturing zones.
He stressed that the greatest challenge in developing specialist healthcare services is not merely building facilities, but attracting and retaining highly trained specialist doctors and nurses.
“When it comes to subspecialist hospitals like heart or cancer centres, there is no shortcut. We must build not only world-class infrastructure but also world-class medical teams. This is about life and death,” he said.
Dr Sim noted that the Sarawak General Hospital has been Malaysia’s top clinical research hospital for the past three years and is increasingly recognised across the Asia region, reflecting Sarawak’s growing strength in specialised and research-driven healthcare.
He thanked the Prime Minister for the strong federal support and reaffirmed that Sarawak remains committed to developing cutting-edge, high-quality medical services for the benefit of its people.
