KUCHING: Sarawak, with its growing income, is capable of managing its own healthcare system.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that is why the state is pushing for health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which would ensure more efficient delivery of medical services across the state and enable better resource management.
“Sarawak’s state budget allocation has grown from RM5.8 billion in 2018 to RM15.8 billion last year.
“By the end of this year, we hope it can reach RM20 billion. We are at a trajectory exponential income.
“That said, this is not just about Sarawak having the money, but because we have the talents,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the 2025 Sarawak Neurosurgery Conference held at UNIFOR Complex here today.
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, further said the state’s strong income has enabled it to acquire Affin Bank, set up its own airline, and plan for the construction of a new international airport.
He stressed that Sarawak will therefore continue its demand for autonomy in healthcare under the MA63 – a matter that will be discussed during the three high-level meetings on MA63, scheduled to take place this month and next.
“This month, I have two meetings, which is the Biannual Health Autonomy under MA63 meeting to be co-chaired with the Minister of Health, and the MA63 Technical Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“The next one is the annual MA63 Committee meeting and will be co-chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in September,” he said.
He reiterated that the state is exercising its rights under MA63, primarily to ensure that healthcare can be better managed locally.
“Under MA63, under Article 95C of the Federal Constitution, Sabah and Sarawak has the right to ask for power to be delegated to them. So, we are asking for our health autonomy,” he said.
He said that current federal health funding models – based on population size – are inadequate for Sarawak’s vast geography.
“At this point of time, the funding for healthcare in Malaysia is based on population. For Sarawak, this is not good.
“We are nearly the size of the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. It is difficult for us to develop and match the services and benefits received in the West,” he said.
He added that with health autonomy, Sarawak would be able to better look after its healthcare professionals in the state, including providing them with allowances or bonuses.
“All of you (doctors working in the public healthcare) are good, only that the government cannot afford to pay you. So, why do we dare to ask for health autonomy?
“For example, last year, the state government has provided two months’ bonus and three months’ allowance for the its civil servants.
“What Sarawak is trying to do is that once we have the health autonomy, at least you (healthcare professionals) too can receive bonuses and allowances,” he said.
