SIBURAN: The Health Ministry (MOH) welcomes a proposal by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian to restructure the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) by including senior representatives from the Finance Ministry (MOF) and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said proposals and improvements from both Sarawak and the Peninsular were positive and worth considering, to strengthen coordination and outcomes related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) matters.
He said the federal government already had a minister and a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department tasked specifically with Sabah and Sarawak affairs, particularly issues related to the MA63.
“The Sarawak Government can raise all these proposals to the main MA63 secretariat under the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) in the Prime Minister’s Department.
“This can be taken forward as an improvement,” he told the media after officiating the openings of the Siburan Health Clinic and Serian Health Clinic at the Siburan clinic compound here today.
Dr Dzulkefly said Dr Sim would not have raised the proposal without clear considerations, adding that the involvement of agencies such as the MOF and the EPU could be examined at the appropriate level.
He stressed that the spirit of cooperation between the federal government and the Sarawak Government would continue to be strengthened, with room for further improvements where necessary.
When asked whether the proposal could be brought to the Cabinet, Dr Dzulkefly declined to comment further, reiterating only that the matter could be elevated through the proper channels given the existing ministerial oversight.
Separately, Dr Dzulkefly said Sarawak had made progress in digitalising primary healthcare services, with 153 out of 270 health clinics in the state already equipped with the Cloud-Based Clinic Management System (CCMS).
He said the system enabled clinics to operate digitally, improve service efficiency, and support better clinical decision-making through data-driven processes.
“This could also contribute to the development of a broader digital healthcare ecosystem aligned with current needs,” he added.
