Kuching: DAPSY Kuching Secretary Lesley Chong has called for greater empathy and responsibility among state leaders, urging them to prioritise the welfare and health of Sarawakians over prestige infrastructure projects.
“What Sarawakians need are leaders who care – those who speak with empathy, respect, and a genuine sense of duty,” Chong said in response to remarks made by Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
She stressed that leaders should focus on initiatives that directly improve people’s lives, rather than on projects driven by political pride or prestige.
“We need representatives who stand for the people’s welfare, not those who dismiss better healthcare as something that ranks behind so-called ‘other priorities.
“Wilfred Yap should set his priorities straight before making such irresponsible comments regarding a proposal for a state-owned hospital offering public hospital rates,” she said in a statement.
Chong described it as disappointing that any elected representative would regard healthcare as less urgent than large-scale infrastructure projects such as airports or transport systems.
She emphasised that investing in healthcare was a fundamental responsibility of the government and an expression of care for the people.
“Nothing should come before the health and wellbeing of Sarawakians,” she added. “If the state government can fund massive infrastructure projects, it should also be willing to invest in hospitals that directly serve the people.”
Chong questioned what Yap considers to be “responsible spending.” “If by that he means mega projects such as the new airport, which the SUPP often boasts about, then he and his colleagues from the SUPP should take a moment to reflect on their true responsibilities as elected representatives,” she said.
She stressed that it is the duty of leaders to prioritise the welfare of the people above all else.
“They must ask themselves whether building a new airport is truly more important and responsible than building a hospital that directly benefits Sarawakians and improves our healthcare system,” she added.
Citing Normah Medical Centre as an example, Chong noted that it is a fully state-owned hospital and therefore could serve as a starting point for the government to allow Sarawakians to pay public hospital rates.
“Since Normah is owned by the state government, it would be far more constructive for the Sarawak government to seriously consider this proposal, rather than rejecting it simply because it was first suggested by DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen,” she said.
She added that while building a new hospital may require significant planning and funding, dismissing the idea outright means that no progress will ever be made towards strengthening Sarawak’s healthcare system.
