SUPP man defends Deputy Premier Dr Sim's overseas engagements amid DAP criticism
KUCHING (July 31): Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Kua Jack Seng, has criticised Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong for her remarks against Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian over his recent overseas engagements.
In a strongly worded media statement, Kua, who is also the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Engkilili Branch chairman, labelled Yong's remarks as 'misleading' and accused her of engaging in 'political hypocrisy'.
'These were not holiday jaunts but targeted, high-level engagements to explore and secure partnerships that could elevate Sarawak's healthcare landscape,' said Kua.
He highlighted ongoing discussions with Fudan University to establish a medical school branch in Sarawak, aimed at addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas.
Talks were also held with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to set up Malaysia's first CDC collaborative office in Sarawak.
The initiative is intended to strengthen epidemic preparedness and public health surveillance.
Additionally, engagements with Swiss pharmaceutical firms Roche and Novartis could pave the way for the state's first-in-human clinical research, positioning Sarawak as a future regional medical research hub.
Kua also claimed that Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders were 'opposing or downplaying' such efforts, thereby undermining Sarawak's healthcare progress.
'Why does DAP keep sabotaging Sarawak's move forward in healthcare?' he asked, defending Dr Sim's record of delivering rural health initiatives such as mobile clinics, flying doctor teams, digital health services, and the Health White Paper.
He pointed out that over RM200 million in state funds had been allocated to upgrade healthcare facilities in remote districts such as Kapit, Lawas, and Limbang.
Kua challenged DAP's 40 MPs to explain their lack of support for Sarawak's push for healthcare autonomy and questioned if they had done anything to secure better federal allocations.
'If federal healthcare delivery is failing, as Violet Yong herself admits, then what have DAP MPs done to fix it?
'Have they supported Sarawak's push for healthcare autonomy? Have they secured more federal health allocations for Sarawak?
'Have they ever tabled a motion in Parliament to reform the broken healthcare system they now criticise?' he asked.
'Sarawak needs builders, not noise-makers. Improving public health requires serious leadership, strategic engagement, and the courage to act, not just taking selfies or shouting in press releases,' he stressed.
Kua concluded by calling on DAP members and Yong to focus on real solutions for rural Sarawakians rather than engaging in finger-pointing.
'If DAP and Violet Yong truly care about rural Sarawakians, they should stop sabotaging Sarawak's global partnerships and start doing their jobs in Parliament, like supporting Sarawak's rights under MA63, including the push for healthcare autonomy.
'Sarawak doesn't need more finger-pointing – it needs solutions and true leadership.' dap Dr Sim Kui Hian Kua Jack Seng lead overseas engagements
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