BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & FASIHA KHUSHIRI
KUCHING: A committee has been set up by the federal Ministry of Health (MoH) to look into formulating a mechanism for revitalising rundown clinics in Sarawak.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni informed him about the committee during a recent meeting.
“I had an informal discussion with Lukanisman. Now they have formed a committee to identify methods for rebuilding the clinic.
“For example, if the clinic’s floors and stairs are in poor condition, I will instruct to build new ones.
“The allocation for building anew will be borne by us (the state government), and then the federal government will reimburse the cost.”
Abang Johari said this when met by the media after attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised by advisor to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Seri Mohd Naroden Majais at his residence here on Tuesday (April 16).
The Premier also said Sarawak has a mechanism to develop abandoned federal projects.
“We already have the mechanism and it will be a reimbursement method from the federal government (to the state government).
“Also, we have a committee to oversee this matter, and I believe it will start by the end of this year.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Sarawak government would be the first state government to finance federal projects in the state to expedite their implementation.
He said the cooperation would begin with the implementation of the Sarawak Cancer Centre project.
“I agree, let us bring in a new method where Sarawak can start construction bit by bit, we will fund it.
“By then, we will start construction of the cancer hospital or cancer institute as soon as possible,” he said recently.
