KUCHING: Sarawak is determined to shed its image of being last in development and reclaim its rightful place alongside other states, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president said the state could not afford to be sidelined in infrastructure development, basic services, economic strength, or social progress.
He added that Sarawak must stand on equal footing with other states after decades of unequal distribution of resources and development since the formation of Malaysia.
“We don’t want to be last anymore. People used to look down on Sarawak. But today, the whole country is starting to place its hopes on Sarawak.
“We must continue to safeguard our rights — even if our identity card number is 13, we refuse to be the last in Malaysia.
“Sarawak deserves equal facilities and development to help close the development gap and ensure fairness as well as prosperity for its people,” he said when officiating the SUPP’s 66th Anniversary Flag Raising ceremony at its headquarters yesterday (June 4).
Dr Sim stated that even though Sarawak has often been left behind, they must face reality – 70 per cent of hospitals and clinics in the state are in poor condition, which requires RM17 billion just to fix it.
“To repair our dilapidated schools, we need another RM5 billion. I am confident that over in the Peninsula, not 70 per cent of their health facilities are in a bad state. But that’s our reality here.
“That is why we need more funding. We even have to help the federal government so that we do not end up last again,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Dr Sim pointed out that Sarawak is on the right path towards prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability as outlined in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“This kind of large-scale transformation is only possible with political stability and the active participation of all Sarawakians.
“To remain stable and keep progressing, we need more local talent to step forward. If we are not united or if we fall into extreme politics like elsewhere, Sarawak’s progress could be derailed. That is what we must avoid,” he cautioned.
