by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 5: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has strongly refuted recent accusations by Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen that the Sarawak government is “not doing enough” to improve healthcare, describing the claims as irresponsible and misleading.
He stressed that, contrary to Chong’s remarks, the Sarawak government under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has already taken serious, long-term steps to strengthen the Sarawak’s healthcare system through the Sarawak Public Health Master Plan 2050.
The Master Plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen Sarawak’s healthcare infrastructure, upgrade existing hospitals and clinics, improve rural health services, expand telemedicine, and address manpower gaps across the State. Entirely funded by the Sarawak Government, it reflects Sarawak’s determination to take charge of its healthcare destiny and reduce dependence on Federal mechanisms.
Yap further highlighted that Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, who is a DAP member and currently serves as Special Adviser to the Federal Minister of Health, is in a position to help channel more Federal support to Sarawak.
“Chong as DAP Sarawak chairman should leverage on Dr Kelvin Yii’s position as special advisor to the Ministry of Health to channel more Federal healthcare support and funding to Sarawak,” he said.
Yap emphasised that while healthcare is constitutionally a Federal responsibility, Sarawak has stepped up to fill the gaps.
“The Sarawak Government’s dual approach, through immediate facilitation of healthcare infrastructure and long-term strategic planning demonstrates responsible, forward-thinking leadership, unlike DAP’s habit of making populist criticisms or proposals without offering real and viable solutions,” he asserted.
Yap also pointed out that many major hospital projects, including Lawas Hospital and Petra Jaya Hospital, are only progressing toward completion because of the Sarawak government’s persistence in pressing the Federal authorities to act and help expedite construction.
“These hospitals are Federal-funded, but without GPS’s constant follow-up and state-level coordination, they would have been delayed much longer,” he added. – DayakDaily
