SUPP man proposes state’s own special allowance for doctors serving in S’wak

SIBU (Dec 29): The Sarawak government should consider giving special allowance to all doctors who are providing services in Sarawak, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong vice chairman Dr Wong Chya Wei.

Dr Wong, who was former chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association Sibu, suggested it would not be limited to doctors from the Peninsula and Sabah, but also Sarawakian doctors who have returned to serve the people of Sarawak.

“It has consistently been challenging to entice doctors to work in this part of Malaysia—East Malaysia has a vast area, and certain areas lack adequate public transportation unlike in Peninsula.

“Due to our geographical challenges, ensuring health services reach rural areas is crucial. We cannot overlook areas like Kapit and Belaga, which are quite remote within our state. Therefore, it is essential to attract, or at least reward, doctors who are willing to make sacrifices to serve our community here,” he told a press conference after the party’s mobile service here yesterday.

Dr Wong was commenting on the Health Ministry’s recent decision to discontinue the special allowance granted to medical personnel posted to the Bornean states.

He emphasised that ‘Anak Sarawak’ should be considered, if the state government chose to implement such an initiative.

“This is to appreciate their efforts and the fact they are willing to come back to Sarawak and serve our own people. In contrast to doctors from the Peninsula who come to Sarawak and receive allowances, Sarawakian doctors returning to serve in the state are not entitled to this benefit.”

However, he did not discount that the proposed initiative might involve a large sum of money, and they needed to “see how big the coffers were”.

Dr Wong Chya Wei healthcare Sarawak United People's Party special allowance