Sarawak Deputy Premier urges larger share of 2027 federal health budget

During a debate in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Deputy Premier and Public Health Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian called for a sizable allocation from the recently presented Federal Budget 2027 to improve Sarawak’s healthcare infrastructure. He referenced the Prime Minister’s announcement of RM47.7 billion for national health spending and expressed hope that Sarawak would receive enough funds to close the gap with West Malaysia.

Dr Sim also appealed for special recruitment to fill 5,654 vacant posts, representing 18 % of the Sarawak Health Department workforce, and for the establishment of 11,000 new positions to align with Ministry of Health staffing norms after an audit of seven state hospitals. The remarks followed a Malaysia Agreement 1963 meeting in Kota Kinabalu where he raised these staffing concerns with the Prime Minister.