Wilfred Yap disagreed DAP’s proposal for state-owned private hospitals as irresponsible

suppadmin | November 1, 2025

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin has criticised the proposal by Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders Chong Chieng Jen and Violet Yong for the Sarawak Government to establish state-owned private hospitals charging public rates, describing it as misguided, impractical, and financially irresponsible.

Yap said that while Sarawak has been consistent in seeking greater health autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), such autonomy must be accompanied by fair and adequate financial support from the Federal Government.

“Healthcare is a Federal Government responsibility as clearly stated under the Federal Constitution. All income tax, corporate tax and Sales and Service Tax (SST) collected from Sarawakians are paid directly to the Federal Government. Therefore, it is only right that Putrajaya fulfils its constitutional duty to fund, build and staff quality healthcare facilities for Sarawakians,” he said in a statement today.

He stressed that asking the Sarawak Government to build private hospitals charging public rates without corresponding federal financial assistance would unfairly transfer federal burdens to the state, forcing Sarawak to divert limited funds from other vital areas such as infrastructure, education and welfare development.

“If Sarawak’s hospitals are overcrowded or under-equipped, YB Chong, as a Member of Parliament and DAP Sarawak Chairman, should raise the matter in Parliament and demand higher federal healthcare allocations, instead of proposing that Sarawak shoulder a Federal obligation without financial backing,” Yap said.

He added that despite healthcare being under federal jurisdiction, the Sarawak Government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has continued to supplement federal efforts through medical and welfare assistance for senior citizens, upgrading rural clinics and mobile health services, and supporting community-based healthcare programmes.

“Sarawak has always stepped up to care for its people, but it is irresponsible for DAP to expect Sarawak to pay twice for healthcare — once through federal taxes, and again through state spending,” he said.

Yap reiterated that while Sarawak is committed to fighting for health autonomy, any devolution of power in the health sector must come with adequate and fair federal funding transfers, not just the transfer of responsibilities without resources.

He further said that DAP Sarawak’s populist proposal once again demonstrated their desperation to remain relevant.

“DAP has yet to fulfil many promises made to the people. Instead of making new unrealistic proposals, they should focus on delivering their existing commitments,” Yap said.

“If DAP Sarawak is truly sincere about improving healthcare in the state, their MPs should use their positions in the Federal Government to secure fair and adequate healthcare funding and support Sarawak’s push for genuine, properly funded health autonomy.”