Message from YB Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak
Salam Sarawak Maju Makmur and welcome to the website of the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak. I wish everyone a Healthy, Happy and Successful 2026.
Under the leadership of The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Sarawak Government has worked hard to bring inclusive progress, be it in greatly improved Government revenue, infrastructure development, safety net for those in need, strategic investments in emerging economic sectors and sub-sectors as well as human capital that Rakyat. These benefits are not limited to a small group but are designed so that Sarawakians from all walks of life can truly experience and feel the impact.
As Sarawak enters the second five-year phase of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, our agenda is to deliver transformative, sustainable and inclusive progress for all. This Ministry plays a pivotal role in implementing policies and producing results to achieve the Sarawak we all aspire to see.
In public health, Sarawak will continue to pursue Health Autonomy for Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) despite the challenges we faced on our journey. The Sarawak Public Health Master Plan 2050 study will conclude this year, and will provide the needed guide for our road to Health Autonomy.
At the moment, while healthcare is still under the Federal Government’s jurisdiction, the Sarawak Government is not merely a bystander. The Sarawak Government has gone beyond our constitutional responsibilities to provide all necessary strategies and support within our means to ensure Sarawakians receive the best possible healthcare services.
We take pride in our medical professionals and researchers in Sarawak. The Sarawak Heart Centre is ranked among the Top 100 cardiology specialist hospitals in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only public hospital of Ministry of Health Malaysia to achieve this recognition. Sarawak General Hospital has also taken the lead in Malaysia in first-in-human clinical trials (biologic study) of cancer drugs for advanced solid tumours in 2023 and of rheumatology treatments in 2024 in collaboration with global pharmaceutical partners. Sarawak General Hospital also achieved another first in Malaysia: an intrauterine (fetal) operation for spina bifida in 2025. In 2025 the Sibu Hospital became the first District Hospital in Malaysia to successfully perform an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) outside of Kuching. In addition, Kapit Hospital successful performance of life-saving emergency thoracotomy procedures.
Achieving these firsts shows that advanced, critical care services are becoming increasingly pervasive and accessible for all Sarawakians. These also reflect the competency, dedication and deep love for Sarawak demonstrated by our public servants, healthcare professionals and researchers in serving the Rakyat for Sarawak nation building. Such achievements will also form the bedrock of international trust, catalysing increased investment and creating deeper economic multiplier and spillover effects across Sarawak in the years to come.
In housing, the Ministry will continue to take proactive actions to ensure the Rakyat have access to adequate and affordable homes. The Sarawak Government targets to build 20,000 units of affordable housing under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) from 2026 to 2030. Existing assistance programmes such as the RM10,000 deposit for first-time homebuyers, housing soft loans for targeted groups through Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn. Bhd., rental assistance schemes and longhouse soft loan facilities will continue to be strengthened.
For the housing industry as a whole, the Ministry is undertaking continuous improvements to ensure that the process of home purchase and ownership is a positive and secure experience. This includes direct intervention in problematic housing projects to resolve issues related to stalled developments, the provision of transparent data on developer performance, as well as enhancements to processes involving the Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims and Tribunal for Strata management.
For local government services, pragmatic improvements continue to be pursued, recognising that local government is the third tier of government and the one closest to the Rakyat. Emphasis remains on delivering efficient, friendly and professional service with a strong focus on basic amenities and management efficiency as key enablers in creating a better and more liveable environment.
We have laid a strong foundation through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Roadmap, whereby all local authorities under the Ministry will actively pursue the SDGs not only to improve the quality of life of our people but also to ensure responsible resource management so that an optimal Sarawak can be inherited by future generations.
Other than that, this Ministry is overseeing continuous improvements in drainage and sewerage services, whether provided by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Sarawak Sewerage Services (SSS) or local councils, further contributing to a more resilient and sustainable Sarawak.
For my staff in MPHLG and our agencies, I would like to thank all of you for your hard work, dedication and achievements accomplished thus far. Every officer and staff member plays a vital role and it is through professionalism, dedication, cooperation and humility that we continue to serve the Rakyat effectively. In this era of rapid development, we must act swiftly, remain adaptable and agile, and embrace technology and digital solutions including artificial intelligence to enhance service delivery. This is essential so that policies are translated into impactful actions ensuring that real benefits reach people quickly.
To all our stakeholders, I hope that everyone can stay informed, connected and involved with the Ministry’s initiatives, services and programmes through our Ministry’s official website. This website serves as a window to our journey as we leapfrog into a better Sarawak guided by the spirit of Nation-Building.
Thank you.
YB Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian,
Deputy Premier of Sarawak
Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak
