MA63 technical committee needs major revamp to address healthcare challenges, end bureaucratic delays, says Dr Sim

Dr Sim speaks to reporters after the officiating at the event. – Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (Jan 7): Sarawak is calling for a major revamp of the Technical Committee under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) to resolve long-standing healthcare challenges and end bureaucratic delays.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the proposed restructuring would see the technical-level discussions elevated to involve senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and Public Service Department (JPA), instead of matters being repeatedly deferred between agencies.

“The problem is when we talk about healthcare, it is always JPA, then EPU, then Ministry of Finance.

“We keep meeting, but nothing moves because the real decision-makers are not all at the table,” he said after officiating at the handover of basic medical equipment to Batu Kawa Health Clinic.

Under the proposed restructuring, the committee would be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof and would function as a high-level platform under MTPMA63, focusing specifically on healthcare autonomy and implementation issues.

Dr Sim said the revamp would allow Sarawak to develop a clear five- to 10-year roadmap to address critical manpower shortages at hospitals, including Sarawak General Hospital.

“This is not something you can fix overnight.  You don’t suddenly find 4,000 doctors or nurses.

“We need a proper plan — year one, year five, year 10 — and that plan must continue regardless of who is in office,” he said.

The roadmap would include phased recruitment, structured training programmes, and expanded scholarships for doctors and nurses.

Dr Sim emphasised that healthcare reform is fundamentally a human resource challenge that requires long-term planning, cooperation, and political will at both state and federal levels.

Highlighting Sarawak’s push for greater healthcare autonomy under MA63, he said federal priorities often favour Kuala Lumpur and other states, causing delays in Sarawak projects.

“It’s not that they don’t care, but their priorities are spread out.

“That is why we keep saying: give it back to us, so we can decide what is urgent for Sarawak,” he said, citing the Sarawak cancer hospital as an example.

Dr Sim pointed out recent steps strengthening Sarawak’s role in healthcare governance, including the establishment of the Sarawak Medical Committee under the Malaysian Medical Council framework, which gives the state greater oversight of doctor registration and regulation.

He added that the state is reviewing federal proposals to corporatise certain private healthcare regulatory functions to ensure any changes benefit Sarawakians.

By bringing all key ministries to the table, Dr Sim said the committee can finally end the “passing the ball” problem and make decisive healthcare decisions under MA63, while ensuring long-term continuity and a roadmap for the state’s healthcare workforce.

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