Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said as hospitals are under federal purview it was Putrajaya’s duty to fund, build and staff quality healthcare facilities for Sarawakians.

He said the Sarawak DAP’s proposal would push federal burdens on to the state government and strain funds meant for other priorities, Dayak Daily reported.

The DAP suggestion was raised by state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen on Oct 26. He suggested that the state government build state-owned private hospitals with public hospital rates for Sarawakians.

The proposal was similar to the party’s earlier suggestion on state-run private schools with English as a medium of instruction, he said.

However, Yap said if all the state’s hospitals are overcrowded or under-equipped, Chong should raise the matter in the Dewan Rakyat and demand higher federal funding, not propose that Sarawak shoulder a federal obligation.

He said the state government continues to support federal health efforts through initiatives such as welfare aid for senior citizens, upgrades to rural clinics, mobile health services and community-based healthcare initiatives.

“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.

He said the proposal was a mark of DAP’s desperation. “DAP has yet to fulfil numerous promises made to the people, and instead of making new unrealistic proposals, DAP should concentrate on delivering their existing commitments first,” he said.