By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 10: Sarawak attracted more than 100,000 medical tourists in 2025, with the State now looking beyond its own population to tap a potential healthcare market of 35 million people in Borneo and 700 million across ASEAN.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the figure was a strong indication that Sarawak could attract patients from outside the State, provided it continued to offer quality healthcare.
“Sarawak’s own population is 2.5 million, but Borneo has 35 million people, while ASEAN has 700 million. This is your market.
“People want quality treatment, supported by equipment, machines, robotics and all the latest technology. Private hospitals have all these science-based facilities,” he said during a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony for Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching at Northbank here today.
Abang Johari further identified Indonesia, with a population of more than 280 million, as a key market for Sarawak’s medical tourism push.
“Within ASEAN, the country with the biggest population is Indonesia. We are close to Indonesia, and Indonesia has many islands,” he said.
He noted that Indonesian patients were already seeking treatment at hospitals in Kuching, including Normah Specialist Hospital and KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital.
At the same time, Abang Johari stated that the entry of more private healthcare providers, including Health Management International (HMI) Group’s 300-bed Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching, would expand treatment options for Sarawakians who could afford private healthcare.
“With more hospitals here, people who can afford treatment can get it here. Many of us go to Normah, go to KPJ, and some go to Singapore.
“Now, a Singapore hospital is in Kuching, so there is no need to go to Singapore. It means lower costs, while the treatment is available here,” he said.
He said the State government was also continuing to upgrade public healthcare facilities to complement the growing private healthcare sector.
“We are also upgrading our hospitals. It may be a little slow, but we have Petrajaya Hospital, although it is delayed,” he said.
Abang Johari also said Sarawak planned to develop a dedicated public cancer hospital, which would further strengthen access to cancer treatment for the wider population.
Meanwhile, HMI Medical Group Chief Executive Officer Chin Wei Jia said the group already had 12 dedicated representative offices in Indonesia and would expand its network to contribute towards greater medical tourism in Sarawak.
“We have 12 dedicated representative offices in Indonesia, and we will definitely tap and expand that network to contribute towards more medical tourism in Sarawak,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng; HMI Executive Chairman and Managing Director Dr Gan See Khem; HMI Medical hospitals in Malaysia’s Board of Directors member Dr Richard Chew Kim Huat; and HMI Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Stanley Lam. — DayakDaily
