By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 17: Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, has raised concerns over the proposed 60-month (five-year) timeline for the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre, stating that the target of completing the project by 2031 is “too long.”
Dr Sim noted that both the Malaysian Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Minister of Public Works, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, shared his view during a crucial coordination meeting held in Putrajaya yesterday (April 16).
“Thanks to both Malaysia’s Ministers of Health and Public Works for agreeing with me that the current proposal of 60 months (2031) is too long,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
The meeting brought together the Ministry of Health Malaysia (the client), the Ministry of Public Works Malaysia (the implementing agency), and the Sarawak Government, which has pledged to advance RM1 billion upfront for the project, with the understanding that the federal government will reimburse the amount later.
Dr Sim who is also Sarawak’s Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, described the meeting as “fruitful,” noting that all stakeholders are now on the same page and committed to moving the project forward swiftly.
The proposed cancer centre is expected to have a capacity of 310 beds.
However, Dr Sim cautioned that Sarawak’s RM1 billion allocation may not be enough, citing the example of the Northern Region Cancer Centre in Kedah, which cost RM906 million for only 200 beds.
Dr Sim highlighted the urgency of the project, referencing alarming statistics: over 3,000 Sarawakians were newly diagnosed with cancer last year, and more than 25,000 are currently receiving follow-up treatment at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
He also recounted a long and frustrating journey spanning several federal administrations in his efforts to secure a dedicated cancer centre for Sarawak. His initial appeal in 2018 under Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration was followed by continued efforts during the tenures of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and, most recently, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Almost two years later, we finally had this crucial coordination meeting. It’s been a long, challenging journey, but in life, you must have perseverance, resilience, follow-up, and follow-through,” he said, adding that he hopes the project will not face delays or become a “sick project.”
In a separate Facebook post, Nanta explained that the meeting focused on several critical elements to ensure the smooth planning and implementation of the Sarawak Cancer Centre project.
These included defining the project scope to ensure its functions, capacity, and facilities meet the needs of the people; resolving land ownership issues; establishing a clear project timeline to allow for structured and timely execution; and strengthening the joint commitment between the federal government and the Sarawak government.
“The Sarawak Cancer Centre represents a major commitment announced by the Prime Minister and the Premier of Sarawak as part of efforts to strengthen the public healthcare system in the region—particularly in providing closer, more comprehensive, and higher-quality cancer treatment for the people of Sarawak, without relying entirely on facilities in Peninsular Malaysia,” he wrote.
Also present during the meeting was Deputy Minister of Health, Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. – DayakDaily
