Wilfred Yap Urges Fairer Funding and Full MA63 Implementation in 13MP

suppadmin | August 2, 2025

State Assemblyman for Kota Sentosa, Wilfred Yap, has expressed support for the unveiling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), while at the same time voicing serious concerns over the continued structural inequities that he says still disadvantage Sarawak.

While recognising that the 13MP outlines positive targets for national development between 2026 and 2030, Yap said that Sarawak continues to be shortchanged due to outdated funding models that do not reflect the state’s actual development needs.

“Despite promises that Sarawak will receive above-average allocations, the continued reliance on a per capita formula is fundamentally flawed and unfair. Sarawak makes up 37.6 percent of Malaysia’s landmass, but our sparse population results in lower funding, even though the cost of building and maintaining infrastructure here is significantly higher,” he said.

Yap highlighted that constructing roads and public facilities in Sarawak especially in rural and remote areas requires much more investment due to challenging terrain, logistical limitations, and environmental factors.

He added that Sarawak still faces major infrastructure gaps, such as limited access to clean water, electricity, healthcare, rural roads, and quality education, which cannot be addressed using a one-size-fits-all funding approach.

“What Sarawak needs is a formula that takes into account our land size, development backlogs, and contributions to the national economy. We have long powered Malaysia’s growth through our oil and gas resources, yet the return to Sarawak remains disproportionately low,” he said.

Yap stressed that this is not just about money, but about honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the 18-Point Agreement, which were meant to guarantee Sarawak greater autonomy over its resources, finances, and governance.

To ensure meaningful progress, Yap called for three key reforms:

A concrete roadmap for devolving authority over healthcare, education, and infrastructure to Sarawak;
A statutory mechanism for fair, needs-based funding that is no longer tied to population figures; and
Transparent project planning and implementation, with direct oversight from Sarawak authorities.
He stressed that Sarawak must remain firm in its pursuit of fairer funding and the full implementation of MA63, rather than settling for fragmented and temporary concessions.