Sarawak’s Contribution to National Services Surplus Must Be Recognised

suppadmin | November 18, 2025

Kota Sentosa State assemblyman Wilfred Yap says Sarawak is the real driving force behind Malaysia’s recent services account surplus, which the Prime Minister announced as the first positive result in fourteen years.

Yap said that while the federal government attributes the RM 0.7 billion surplus to fiscal discipline, it is Sarawak’s strong economic performance, especially in tourism, that has made a significant impact. In the first three quarters of 2025, Sarawak recorded more than 3.2 million visitor arrivals, generating an estimated RM 8.18 billion in tourism receipts.

“These numbers have strengthened Malaysia’s travel services exports, which form the largest share of the national services account. Sarawak has directly contributed to the surplus that the Prime Minister is celebrating,” he said.

Yap added that Sarawak’s government under GPS has invested heavily in infrastructure, tourism development and promotional efforts. These long term strategies have turned Sarawak into a major contributor to the national economy.

He noted that Sarawak’s tourism sector accounts for an estimated 8 percent of Malaysia’s travel services exports and about 3 percent of total national services receipts.

“Fiscal discipline has its place, but the hard work, vision and commitment of Sarawak’s GPS leadership and people are what transformed Sarawak into an economic engine for the country. This contribution deserves recognition,” he said.

Yap called on the federal government to formally acknowledge Sarawak’s vital role in helping Malaysia achieve the services account surplus.