KUCHING: Sarawak has successfully secured RM1.8 billion in research funding through Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) between 2012 and 2025, with the majority of the investment remaining in the state capital.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian revealed that this massive influx of research capital has not only bolstered the local economy but has also created over 3,500 high-paying jobs in the region.
“Since 2022, the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) has emerged as a top research site for ‘First-in-Human’ clinical trials. This is a milestone that has put Malaysia, and specifically Kuching, on the global medical research map,” he said during the opening of an Affin Bank branch in Batu Kawa today.
Dr Sim stressed that Sarawak is increasingly taking the lead in its own developmental projects, particularly when state funds are involved, citing the upcoming RM1.5-billion Sarawak Cancer Hospital as a primary example of this shift toward autonomy.
While federal agencies initially proposed an open tender for the project, he insisted that the Sarawak Government take charge of the RM500-million equipment procurement.
“Because the money comes from Sarawak, we want to have a say. We do not want to be stuck with obsolete equipment by the time the building is ready in 2032,” Dr Sim added.
“We want to ensure our facilities are state-of-the-art and capable of supporting advanced research.”
At the same time, he reiterated that Sarawak still requires substantial financial resources to accelerate development after decades of lagging behind more developed regions.
He pointed out that Sarawak’s growing financial strength reinforces its ability to take a more assertive role, noting that based on 2026 figures, one year of Sarawak’s revenue is equivalent to about 15 years of Penang’s and five years of Selangor’s.
“If Sarawak were on par with West Malaysia, we would not complain. We are willing to share but we are still catching up,” he said.
