KUALA LUMPUR: The government is committed to ensuring that health inflation remains moderate, including in Sarawak, said Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib. She reported that health inflation in Sarawak had recorded a moderate rate of 1.5 percent in October 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a total of 58 projects by the Ministry of Health for Sarawak have been approved under the fifth rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, with a total cost of RM3.04 billion. This was revealed during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, where Hanifah was responding to a query from Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri (GPS-Betong) on the government’s plans to address the country’s inflation rate, including rising healthcare costs in rural areas of Sarawak.

The approved projects include the construction of the Betong Health Clinic, Julau Health Clinic, Sarikei Health Clinic, and Nanga Atoi Health Clinic in Saratok, along with new clinic upgrades and developments throughout Sarawak. Hanifah exp
lained that the implementation of these projects aims to ease cost-of-living pressures, particularly in rural areas, by providing more affordable and quality healthcare services and reducing transportation costs for residents needing access to health facilities.

To further alleviate the impact of inflation on the cost of living and boost community income, Hanifah stated that the government remains committed to implementing various initiatives. These include increasing the total ‘Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah’ and Basic Living Contribution from RM10 billion in 2024 to RM13 billion in 2025. Furthermore, the allocation for the ‘Payung Rahmah’ initiative has been raised from RM200 million in 2024 to RM300 million in 2025.

She also mentioned that enhanced monitoring and enforcement by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry would ensure reasonable price levels and curb profiteering activities. In response to an additional question from Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) regarding the RON95 subsidy, Hani
fah Hajar stated that the government plans to implement targeted RON95 petrol subsidies by mid-2025. “In terms of engagement, we must implement and gather feedback to determine the best way to distribute the benefits effectively,” she added.