KUCHING, Oct 13: Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes to get the formalities over soon so that the Sarawak Cancer Centre project may begin, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s inclusion of the project in Budget 2024 which the latter announced in Parliament today.
Dr Sim was anticipating the announcement on Sept 16 when Anwar came for the Malaysia Day Celebration in Kuching but it did not happen.
This had led to Dr Sim following up on the issue on their trip to New York recently.
“Finally official for our much needed, long awaited Sarawak Cancer Centre (was expecting on 16 Sept and followed up with PM Anwar while in New York). Let’s get the necessary paperwork signed so we can get the project started,” said Dr Sim in a statement in response to Budget 2024.
On Federal Constitution 112D which stipulates Sarawak’s entitlement to a Special Grant annually, Dr Sim who is Batu Kawah assemblyman said 2024 will be the second year Sarawak receives the grant amounting to RM300 million.
He expressed gratitude for the allocation.
“Hope we will have a permanent (grant) based on formula, after 60 years (of the) formation of Malaysia,” said Dr Sim.
It is also his wish to see the devolution of autonomy in the areas of health and education soonest possible.
In general, he hopes to see the details of Budget 2024 so that there is a clear picture of “how many are funding for existing ongoing (projects) and how many are truly new projects”. — DayakDaily
