(Sabah water supply allocation cut by RM26.33 million, raising concerns over infrastructure improvements)
SANDAKAN:Warisan Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Alex Thien has expressed disappointment that Budget 2027, despite increased allocations for the healthcare sector nationwide, does not specifically identify funding for a new building, expansion or major upgrading works at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in Sandakan.
Thien said a detailed review of the Budget 2027 speech and Federal Expenditure Estimates revealed no clearly earmarked allocation for the hospital’s proposed expansion, despite its longstanding infrastructure challenges.
He pointed out that the hospital has been struggling with insufficient bed capacity, ageing buildings, inadequate medical facilities, a shortage of specialist doctors and limited parking spaces. With growing demand for healthcare services, the hospital is operating under considerable pressure, while several facilities are in urgent need of upgrading and repairs.
“Sandakan Hospital does not only serve residents of Sandakan. It is also a major referral hospital for Sabah’s east coast, receiving patients from surrounding districts such as Kinabatangan, Beluran, Telupid and Tongod who require further medical treatment.
“The shortage of facilities therefore affects not only the people of Sandakan, but also healthcare delivery across the wider east coast region,” he said.
Thien noted that during a visit to Sandakan Hospital in 2025, the Health Minister had proposed the construction of a new clinical block with an additional 594 beds to address the hospital’s longstanding overcrowding issues.
However, he said Budget 2027 still does not clearly identify an annual allocation or implementation timeline for the proposed project.
He added that although the government had previously approved funding for repairs and upgrading works involving the hospital’s older wards and related facilities, some projects have faced prolonged delays, making it necessary for the authorities to provide a clear account of their implementation status.
“What the people need is not merely funding announcements or development proposals, but projects that actually commence, are completed and deliver meaningful improvements to healthcare services.
“Since the Health Ministry has already proposed a new clinical block, it should clearly explain whether the project has received formal approval, the total estimated cost, when construction will begin and when it is expected to be completed,” he said.
Thien stressed that hospital development must take into account bed capacity, specialist services, medical manpower and future population growth, rather than relying solely on minor repairs to cope with increasing healthcare demands.
He urged the Finance Ministry and Health Ministry to recognise Sandakan’s strategic importance as a healthcare referral hub for Sabah’s east coast and to disclose the specific development plans, funding arrangements and implementation timeline for the hospital’s expansion.
Meanwhile, Thien also raised concerns over the reduction in federal development funding for Sabah’s water supply infrastructure under Budget 2027.
According to the Federal Expenditure Estimates 2027, the allocation for the Sabah Water Supply Programme (Rancangan Bekalan Air Sabah) has been reduced from approximately RM192.77 million under the revised 2026 estimates to RM166.44 million in 2027.
“This represents a reduction of approximately RM26.33 million, or 13.66 per cent, despite Sabah continuing to face serious and persistent water supply problems,” he said.
Thien pointed out that Sabah has experienced recurring water disruptions, low water pressure, ageing transmission and distribution pipelines, and frequent pipe leakages for many years.
He said some areas require extensive upgrading and replacement of ageing water infrastructure to achieve lasting improvements in water supply reliability.
“Water supply problems are not something new. They are longstanding issues that Sabahans have been facing year after year.
“Addressing these accumulated infrastructure problems requires sustained and adequate financial investment. Why is the allocation being reduced when Sabah’s water supply challenges remain unresolved?” he questioned.
Thien acknowledged that the Federal Government had also announced a nationwide Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction programme, including the replacement of ageing pipelines.
However, he said further clarification was needed on how much of that funding would be allocated to Sabah, which districts would benefit and what specific projects would be implemented.
He emphasised that the effectiveness of a national budget should not be measured solely by whether overall expenditure has increased, but also by whether funding reaches areas with pressing infrastructure needs and whether the approved projects are delivered on schedule.
“We welcome increased federal development allocations, but what matters most is whether these funds translate into real improvements in the healthcare and water supply services that Sabahans have been waiting for,” he said.
Thien called on the Finance Ministry, Health Ministry and relevant authorities to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the allocations, implementation progress and completion timelines for the proposed Sandakan Hospital expansion and Sabah’s water supply improvement projects.
“The people deserve clear answers on when these long-awaited developments will become a reality,” he said.
