SARAWAK will forge ahead in the construction of a RM1.2 billion cancer centre in Samarahan, on the outskirts of Kuching city, even though Putrajaya has said it has no funds for it.

“We want the centre,” Premier Abang Johari Openg told participants at a mental health conference in Kuching today. 

“Sarawak asked the federal government for the funds but they said they don’t have money.”

The premier said he then told the federal government that the state government will come up with the funds first and the federal government could repay the state later. 

He said upgrading Sarawak’s health infrastructure is a key focus of the state government.

“What is important is that people in Sarawak must have good healthcare and services. That’s their entitlement.”

He said the cancer centre is pertinent as it could lower cancer treatment costs not only for people in Sarawak but also in neighbouring Brunei, Sabah and Kalimantan. 

“Patients in Sarawak do not need to go to Kuala Lumpur for treatment.” 

Abang Johari said with improved air service and connectivity, patients in the neighbouring areas could fly to Kuching more easily. 

He said that’s the reason why Sarawak is pushing for a “certain autonomy” on health matters, even though it is under the purview of the federal government. 

“We want an integrated approach (to health issues). The state government is negotiating to upgrade all our (health) infrastructure (as) there is a mismatch in the country between our economic advancements and health advancements.”

Listing facilities built on state funds, he pointed to the heart centre, a teaching university hospital on the campus of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and an infectious disease research centre.

Construction work on the teaching hospital and the RM200 million tropical disease research centre is ongoing.

All the facilities are in Samarahan, an administrative division adjacent to Kuching, which the state government is turning into a medical hub. – August 5, 2023.