SUPP man: Beyond RM16.2 bil allocation under Budget 2027, S’wak needs greater autonomy

Nicholas Wung

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 10: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kuching branch acting secretary and Youth chief Nicholas Wung Duk Ying welcomed the RM16.2 billion in federal allocations under Budget 2027, as well as the increase in interim special grants to RM1.5 billion, describing it as positive developments.

However, he also said that Sarawak’s long-term interest is not only about receiving more allocations, but also about obtaining greater autonomy and more permanent institutional arrangements.

In a statement, Wung said the increase in the Health Ministry’s allocation to RM47.7 billion and the permanent appointment of 9,000 doctors were positive, but Sarawak still needed greater healthcare autonomy.

“If Sarawak has greater healthcare autonomy, it can design assistance based on local needs and provide more direct support to Sarawakians facing heavy medical expenses,” he said.

Wung said Sarawak still had important matters to pursue in areas such as finance, education, aviation, healthcare and development autonomy, particularly rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 that remained unresolved.

“Budget allocations are important, but Sarawak must also turn policy support into long-term and institutionalised autonomy,” he said.

Therefore, he called on Sarawakians to continue supporting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in the coming Sarawak election, saying a stronger mandate would strengthen Sarawak’s position in negotiations with the federal government.

“The stronger Sarawak stands together, the stronger our voice will be at the negotiating table,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wung also welcomed the over RM80 billion allocated for subsidies and assistance, which could provide some relief to lower-income households facing rising living costs.

However, he said that the higher tax rate for those earning RM1 million a year showed that the government was increasingly relying on higher-income groups to support wider social assistance.

Wung said the government’s aim of reducing the fiscal deficit through stronger economic growth was understandable, but the country’s rising debt remained a concern.

He noted that federal government debt stood at RM1.3789 trillion as of June 2026, equivalent to 63.1 per cent of gross domestic product.

“The government must balance welfare spending and development with stronger fiscal discipline. Structural problems cannot be solved simply by increasing expenditure,” he said. — DayakDaily