Sim said the Sarawak government wants comprehensive healthcare autonomy, allowing it to decide on regulatory matters, the management of human resources and the maintenance of healthcare facilities, The Borneo Post reported.

“We want to be granted full healthcare autonomy because we believe the needs in Sarawak are different from the norms practised in Peninsular Malaysia. One size cannot fit all, and we think we can manage it better ourselves,” he was quoted as saying.

Sim added that Sarawak is seeking to manage the state’s healthcare services and facilities on its own but using funds from Putrajaya.

He said a comprehensive 10-year plan will be established to prepare local stakeholders and suppliers to assume control of healthcare services within the state, provided that the federal government gives Sarawak full autonomy.

“If full healthcare autonomy is granted, we also want to integrate some of the public health services into it so there will not be a duplication of resources. Public health policies are enforced by both the health ministry and local councils,” he said, adding that these policies include smoking restrictions.

In May, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said granting Sabah and Sarawak autonomy over education and health were among the important matters being discussed by the federal government via its MA63 secretariat.

Fadillah had said both states faced challenges in the education and health sectors because planning for the sectors were implemented by Putrajaya, including the recruitment of teachers and health workers.