By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 2: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has voiced strong concerns over the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), calling out its population-based funding model that he says unfairly disadvantages Sarawak.
While acknowledging that the blueprint outlines commendable goals for national development, Yap said it falls short in delivering justice and equity for Sarawak, particularly when it comes to infrastructure needs in the State’s rural and interior regions.
“Despite assurances that Sarawak will receive above-average allocations, the continued reliance on a per capita funding formula is outdated and inherently unfair,” he said in a press statement today.
Yap highlighted that Sarawak accounts for 37.6 per cent of Malaysia’s landmass but suffers due to its low population density, which causes federal allocations to be pegged to headcount rather than actual development needs.
“A kilometre of road in Sarawak, especially in rural and interior areas, costs exponentially more to construct and maintain than in Peninsular Malaysia due to terrain, logistics, and climate conditions,” he said.
He added that the current one-size-fits-all funding model fails to account for Sarawak’s unique challenges, including massive infrastructure deficits (clean water, electricity, rural roads, healthcare, and education), higher construction costs due to remote locations and difficult terrain, and historical underdevelopment after decades of federal oversight.
Instead of population-based allocations, he said, a need-based and landmass-adjusted formula that ensures Sarawak receives funding proportionate to its geographical size, development gaps, and economic contributions would be more appropriate.
“Sarawak has bankrolled Malaysia’s growth through its vast oil and gas resources, yet the returns to Sarawak remain disproportionately low. While billions have flowed into federal coffers, many Sarawakian communities still lack basic infrastructure that should have been resolved decades ago.
“This is about honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the 18-Point Agreement, which guarantee Sarawak greater autonomy over resources, finances, and governance. These are legally binding promises, not privileges,” he said.
Yap added that actual progress requires a clear roadmap for devolution of power (education, healthcare, infrastructure), statutory guarantees for need-based funding and not population-based allocation, and transparent project implementation with direct Sarawakian oversight.
“Sarawak must continue fighting for fair funding formulas that reflect Sarawak’s real needs and full MA63 implementation, not piecemeal concessions,” he said. — DayakDaily
