Prioritise hospitals, not new airport, Dapsy tells state government

KUCHING (Nov 3): The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Kuching has called on the state’s elected representatives to re-evaluate their priorities, urging them to place the welfare of Sarawakians above all else.

In a statement, Dapsy Kuching secretary, Lesley Chong, said the state leaders must justify whether building a new airport is a more responsible use of funds than investing in a hospital that would directly benefit the people and strengthen Sarawak’s healthcare system.

“There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of the people – not an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project, and certainly not a new airport,” she asserted.

“If the state government can afford to fund these large-scale infrastructure projects, it should also be able to invest in a hospital that directly serves the people,” she added.

Lesley proposed that the state-owned Normah Medical Specialist Centre could be a starting point, suggesting the government offer services at 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 suggested by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.”

While acknowledging that a new hospital requires significant planning and funding, she warned that dismissing the idea outright halts any progress toward strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

She concluded that Sarawakians need are leaders who govern with empathy, respect, and a genuine sense of duty.

“Leaders who place the people’s health and well-being above prestige projects and political pride are what Sarawakians need.

“We need elected representatives who stand for the people’s welfare, not those who dismiss better healthcare,” she said.