KUCHING, June 4 — Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian today urged party members to closely follow the policies of the state government in charting out the state’s future direction.

He said these include the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and issues relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Moving ahead, every party member, delegate and all Sarawakians must know what is the direction for Sarawak that the state government is undertaking,” Dr Sim, who is also the deputy premier, said at the flag-raising ceremony to mark SUPP’s 64th anniversary.

He said it is important for party members to fully understand PCDS 2030 that has three pillars; to make Sarawak prosperous; inclusivity and environmental sustainability.

He said Sarawak needs a lot of talent for the PCDS 2030 to succeed, which could be hampered due to the state’s declining birth rate.

“That is why we need many young Sarawakians to venture into science fields,” he added.

He urged party members not to be too concerned with the political happenings in Peninsular Malaysia where political foes can become political partners, and political partners can become political foes out of convenience.

He added that even the usage of the Arabic word “Allah” which means “God” can become an issue among some Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia, while in Sarawak, the Christian community can use the word in their prayers in church and publications.

Dr Sim said he also expects party members to contribute positively to the development of Sarawak, not just as bystanders, citing himself as an example.

He said when he came to Sarawak from Australia over 20 years ago, he started the heart centre at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) premises.

“Today, the centre is still standing tall and is well known, not just in Malaysia, but also in the region and the rest of Asia as a research centre” Dr Sim, who is a cardiologist by training, said.

He said the heart centre, named Sarawak Heart Centre, has moved out of the SGH premises to Kota Samarahan where it is operating in a building built by the state government.

He said it has treated over 245,000 Sarawakians with a minimal cost, who otherwise have to spend a fortune if they were to go to Peninsular Malaysia or Singapore, adding that the heart centre last year had an operating cost of RM200 million compared to just RM2 million 22 years ago.

Dr Sim said he is also spearheading the setting up of a cancer centre, next to the heart centre.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/06/04/at-64th-party-anniversary-supp-president-urges-members-to-follow-sarawak-govts-policy-direction/72447