On average, people in Samarahan live longer than the rest of Malaysians

KUCHING, Oct 12 2025: It is revealed that the people in Samarahan district, on average, live longer than Malaysians in other parts of the country, according Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing  Development Datuk Sri Fatimah Abdullah, quoting the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Fatimah: Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan recorded life expectancy exceeding that national average  

She said Samarahan recorded highest increase in life expectancy at birth in 2023, which was 79.8 years, 80.4 years (2024) and 80.9 years (2025).

”However, the lowest life expectancy at birth was recorded in Kecil Lojing, Kelantan (63.6 years) in 2023, Kuala Penyu, Sabah (66.5 years) in 2024, and Kanowit (66.5 years) in 2025,” she said at the Samarahan-level Senior Citizens World Day at Rumah Sri Kenangan, an old folk home at Batu 12, near here.

She said overall, 30 out of 156 districts exceeded life expectancy at the national level, adding that the highest life expectancy at birth for men is in Kinabatangan, Sabah (79.8 years) while for women in Telupid, Sabah (82.8 years).

Quoting DOSM, Fatimah said Selangor, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan recorded life expectancy exceeding the national level in 2025.

She said the statistics show that Malaysia is now rapidly moving towards an ageing society, urging that there is a need to be prepared from social, economic and health aspects to ensure that the well-being of the elderly continues to be guaranteed.

She said the Sarawak government is very concerned about the welfare of the elderly, pointing out that among the initiatives that have been introduced include Senior Citizen Health Benefit (SCHB) – an allocation of RM50 million, allowing senior citizens aged 60 and above to receive treatment at panel clinics cashlessly for up to RM500 per year.

She said the scheme allows senior citizens to receive treatment for minor illnesses such as fever, flu, headaches, gout, minor injuries, as well as basic dental treatment such as tooth extractions and fillings.

She added there are now more than 290 panel clinics throughout Sarawak.

She said the state government has also introduced Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS) – annual cash assistance between RM250 to RM800 to help with the cost of living of senior citizens.

She said another initiative is the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) – a privilege card that provides various discounts, benefits and priorities in public and private services.

She said the Mobile Service initiative helps senior citizens in rural areas register for assistance schemes without having to come to the city.

“In addition, health aspects are also emphasized in Sarawak such as at government hospitals where the Sarawak General Hospital provide various specialties, including the general medicine, mental health, orthopedics and ophthalmology.

“The GeKo (Community Geriatrics) programme is expanded to health clinics, focusing on at-risk senior citizens so that they remain healthy, independent, and avoid complications.

“All of this clearly shows the state government’s commitment in ensuring that Sarawak’s senior citizens receive comprehensive care, both in terms of treatment and community support,” Fatimah said.

Sarawak government to look into the details of the RM6 billion in development allocation

 KUCHING, Oct 12 2025: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has said that the state government will look into the details of the RM6 billion in development allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament last Friday.

“It is time for the federal government to give back our fair share so that we are not left behind with 70 per cent of federal government clinics and hospitals in Sarawak in dilapidated conditions ." - Dr Sim
 

“As in the past, the development allocations announced in the federal budgets, are meant for the completion of existing on-going projects in Sarawak,” he said when responding to the federal Budget 2026 that Anwar presented in Parliament.

Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said Sarawak has financially contributed enormously to Malaysia over the last 50 years.  

“It is time for federal government to give back our fair share so that we are not left behind with 70 per cent of federal government clinics and hospitals in Sarawak in dilapidated conditions  which need RM17 billion to upgrade while Peninsular Malaysia has less government health facilities in dilapidated conditions,” he said.

Dr Sim, however, expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for speeding up the implementation of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Kota Samarahan.

He said the centre is not just for the convenience of patients from Sarawak but is doing justice to the oncologists who are recognised worldwide but choose to serve in Sarawak.

He likened the oncologists serving in Sarawak to the Formula 1 drivers, but driving an ordinary car.

Dr Sim also expressed his hope that the federal government would consider the Sarawak government’s proposed formula on the special yearly grants payment accorded to both Sarawak and Sabah.

He said both states started receiving the RM600 million interim special payment under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 this year and to be continued next year.

He said the Sarawak government has submitted a formula to the federal government that the payment be based on certain formula rather than interim.