KUCHING: Federal Budget 2027 must be judged by its ability to deliver real improvements to rural Sarawak — not merely by the size of its allocations, says Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin.
In a proposal submitted to the Minister of Finance II and copied to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Willie called for targeted federal funding to accelerate infrastructure, healthcare, education, land administration and economic development across Sarawak’s rural and interior communities.
He said many communities continue to face challenges despite ongoing development, including inadequate roads and bridges, limited access to clean water and electricity, poor telecommunications, insufficient healthcare services and educational facilities.
“Budget 2027 should not only be assessed by how much is allocated, but by how effectively those allocations improve the daily lives of the people,” he said.
Among his top priorities is stronger support for the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), which provides vital medical care to remote settlements inaccessible by road.
Willie proposed increased and sustainable funding covering helicopter operations, medical teams, medicines, equipment and operational expenses, describing the service as a lifeline for elderly residents, children and pregnant women living in isolated areas.
The MP also urged the federal government to work closely with the Sarawak government to speed up Native Customary Rights (NCR) land surveying, boundary verification and the issuance of land titles.
He said reducing the backlog would provide greater legal certainty for native communities while creating opportunities for agriculture, investment, financing and long-term economic growth.
Education remains another major concern, with Willie pressing Putrajaya to include funding for the construction of the already-approved SMK Puncak Borneo.
He said the allocation would allow the tender process to begin immediately, ensuring the long-awaited secondary school progresses from approval to construction without unnecessary delays.
Beyond infrastructure, Willie proposed enhanced assistance for blind and visually impaired Malaysians through higher monthly allowances, targeted transport subsidies and e-hailing support, arguing that rising commuting costs should not prevent persons with disabilities from remaining employed and independent.
He also called for improved access to TEKUN Nasional financing, entrepreneurship training and business support for visually impaired entrepreneurs.
On rural economic development, he advocated greater investment in agriculture, cooperatives, agro-processing, tourism, rural small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurship and digitalisation to help local producers move into higher-value activities and reach wider markets.
Willie said Budget 2027 should also reflect the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with constitutional commitments translating into better infrastructure, public services and economic opportunities for Sarawak and Sabah through continued federal-state cooperation.
He said the true measure of the national budget lies in whether it delivers clean water, reliable utilities, quality schools, accessible healthcare, secure land ownership and meaningful livelihoods for rural Malaysians.
“Malaysia can only move forward when no state, no region and no community is left behind,” he said.
