SIBU: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Central Youth Chief, Kevin Lau has urged the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak to leverage their position in the federal government to secure more funding for the development of healthcare in Sarawak.
He said instead of accusing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian of rejecting DAP Sarawak’s proposal for a state-owned hospital due to political differences, its Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong should understand the complexities of healthcare administration.
Lau explained that hospital projects encompass far more than construction costs, as they also involve ongoing operational and maintenance expenses.
These costs, he said, continue to increase due to medical inflation and the need for periodic upgrades.
“The recent claim by Yong that Dr Sim rejected DAP Sarawak’s proposal for state-owned hospitals purely for political reasons reflects a lack of understanding of the complexities of healthcare management. The issue goes beyond construction costs — it includes substantial operational expenses and recurring upgrade requirements,” he lamented in a press statement on Friday (Oct 31).
According to Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Chairman, the Budget 2026 tabled by the Prime Minister allocated RM46.5 billion for healthcare, the second-largest sectoral allocation.
Out of this, he said, RM39.8 billion is for operating expenditure and RM6.7 billion for development expenditure.
“Even with an increase of RM1.24 billion, or three per cent from last year, this may still fall short given the rising costs of medical supplies, equipment, and personnel nationwide,” he added.
Lau reminded DAP Sarawak of the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure to ensure it remains on par with Peninsular Malaysia.
One of the initiatives that the Sarawak government has undertaken, he stressed, is to finance the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre while awaiting federal implementation.
“In order to fast-track the Sarawak Cancer Centre, the state government has taken the initiative to fund the construction of the project. If Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen or Yong’s heart is genuinely for the people of Sarawak, they should give all necessary support so that the federal government will expedite the implementation of the project,” he pointed out.
He added that with the federal government already acknowledging in parliament that Sarawak contributed RM285 billion in petroleum revenue, it is only fair that more resources are channelled back to improve healthcare and public services in Sarawak.
He also said that DAP Sarawak should work collectively at the federal level to pursue more funds to develop Sarawak instead of drawing on the state’s revenue or reserves.
Touching on broader development priorities, Lau explained that the Sarawak government’s budget focuses on strategic infrastructure investments with long-term economic impact, including the upgrading of water and telecommunication utilities, largely funded by the state.
This also include the construction of infrastructure such as Automated Rapid Transit (ART) project.
Thus, he said comments by Chong with regards to ART does not hold water.
“Penang’s annual revenue stands at approximately RM810 million in the year 2024, yet its LRT Mutiara Line project, costing RM16.8 billion, is fully direct funded by the federal government. By the same logic, Sarawak’s transport infrastructure should also deserve similar federal funding support,” he pointed out.
