BA’KELALAN assemblyman Baru Bian has called for urgent attention to rural healthcare in Sarawak, highlighting the need for resident specialists at the new Lawas Hospital and the repair of neglected clinics in his constituency.
He commended the government’s efforts to complete the long-awaited Lawas Hospital by May 2026, a project previously classified as “sick”.
He said the hospital would spare residents the trouble of travelling to Miri or Kota Kinabalu for specialised medical care.
“While we welcome the new hospital, it is equally important that rural clinics in Long Semadoh, Ba’Kelalan, and Tang Lapadan are repaired and staffed with resident doctors, not just nurses or medical officers.
“Rural communities deserve healthcare of the same quality as urban areas,” he said when debating on the 2026 Sarawak Budget in the State Legislative Assembly today.
He noted that during the previous sitting, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian revealed that 76 per cent of health clinics in Sarawak were in poor condition, a statistic Baru Bian described as “unacceptable for a state progressing in economic development”.
He was also concerned about drug abuse, particularly the proliferation of syabu in Lawas, proposing the establishment of a local rehabilitation centre and the integration of drug awareness into school curricula to protect youth.
On infrastructure, Baru called for strict adherence to safety standards by contractors working on the Sarawak–Sabah Link Road (SSLR), and urged local manpower to be prioritised over foreign subcontractors.
He also requested clarification on incomplete road stretches critical for seamless connectivity to Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital.
Highlighting the region’s tourism potential, he said the Lawas Highlands, home to Gunung Murud and Batu Lawi, could become a hub for eco-tourism and agro-tourism.
He noted the area’s rich biodiversity, including the rediscovered Black Oriole and all eight species of hornbills, and praised the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) for guiding locals on homestay registration.
Baru welcomed recent announcements on potential onshore oil and gas deposits in Limbang and Lawas, urging the employment of highly trained experts to ensure safety and prevent accidents similar to past pipeline incidents.
