SIBU: Sarawak is asking to be given more opportunities in health and education matters.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said Sarawak’s revenue of RM13.3 billion last year surpassed that of Selangor’s, the richest state in Malaya, which recorded only RM2.5 billion.
Dr Sim that given Sarawak’s robust revenue, the state can achieve much more on its own than what the federal government can provide through its annual expenditure allocated to Sarawak.
“Sarawak’s dilapidated clinics and hospitals need RM17 billion for upgrading and rebuilding works. We are catching up, and if the federal government is unable to catch up with us, we will catch up with ourselves.
“So what we ask for is just the ‘opportunity’ (by having health and education autonomy). We don’t want you to feel sorry for us. Give us the opportunity and we shall return it,” he said in his speech when officiating at the opening ceremony of the 15th Malaysia Hospice Council Congress 2024 at a renowned hotel here last night (July 25).
Meanwhile, on the congress, The Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government said that with the theme of ‘Strengthening Connections and Collaborations in Palliative Care’ he deemed it as a powerful call to action.
“It reminds us that the essence of palliative care lies not only in the clinical and technical aspects of treatment but also in the human connections we foster and the collaborative efforts we undertake,” he added.
He hoped that all the 600 participants throughout Malaysia who are attending the three-day congress from July 25 to 27 will obtain fruitfull insight.
Also present were Sarawak Health director Dr Veronica Lugah, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Sibu Divisional health officer Dr Teh Jo Hun, Malaysian Hospice and Palliative Care Council chairperson Dr Ng Woon Fang, Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer Amelia Roziman and organising chairman Dr Lam Chin Chyou.
