Only fair for Putrajaya to invest heavily in Sarawak’s devt, says Deputy Premier

Dr Sim fields questions from reporters during the Mooncake Festival 2024 celebration at Malaysia-China Friendship Park, Kuching on Sept 17, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Sept 18: Sarawak has been lagging behind for so many years that it is only fair for the Federal government to invest heavily in its development today.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said it is estimated that 269 clinics in Sarawak are dilapidated, which accounts for 70 per cent of the total number of clinics.

“Why Peninsular Malaysia never have 70 per cent dilapidated clinics? Why only Sarawak? That means we need more (allocations) to catch up with them,” he told reporters during Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 celebration at Malaysia-China Friendship Park last night (Sept 17).

Dr Sim further expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent announcement to double the special annual grants for Sarawak and Sabah under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution from an interim of RM300 million to RM600 million.

Originally under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sabah and Sarawak are entitled to special annual grants from the Federal government, and Article 112D of the Federal Constitution stipulated that these grants are subject to a review once every five years.

However, the revenue contribution stopped in 1969 and Sarawak never protested as it was difficult due to the Internal Security Act 1960.

The last review in 1969 saw Sarawak receiving a measly RM16 million per annum and Sabah RM26.7 million per annum.

That is not until the incumbent prime minister announced that the Federal government has provided an interim amount of RM300 million for Sabah and Sarawak, respectively, under Budget 2024, last year.

“Can you imagine that since 1969, they don’t give us money? Do they think that (the accumulated total) is just more than RM600 million?

“We just ask them to pay the money because Sarawak does not want 70 per cent of our clinics to be dilapidated. We just want to have the same healthcare facilities as them, that is all,” he said.

In terms of healthcare, Dr Sim stressed that Sarawak needs at least 50 new dialysis machines every year to cater for the growing number of kidney patients in the State.

“Without dialysis, the patients die within days. With dialysis, they get to live another 15 to 20 years,” he added. — DayakDaily