KUCHING: Kota Sentosa Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Yau Sin has welcomed the unveiling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), but voiced concern over what he described as a continued injustice to Sarawak in terms of federal development funding.

While acknowledging the national development blueprint for 2026 to 2030 contains positive commitments to infrastructure and socio-economic growth, Yap said the 13MP structural inequities remain unaddressed, particularly for Sarawak.

“The federal government’s ongoing reliance on a per capita funding formula is outdated and fundamentally unfair,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

He added that Sarawak comprises 37.6 per cent of Malaysia’s landmass, but due to its low population density, allocations continue to be based on headcount instead of real development needs.

He pointed out that construction costs in Sarawak, especially in rural and interior areas, are far higher than in Peninsular Malaysia due to geographical and logistical challenges, including rugged terrain and remote access.

“A kilometre of road here costs exponentially more to build and maintain, yet the funding mechanism does not reflect this reality,” he added.

Wilfred argued that the current one-size-fits-all approach fails to consider Sarawak’s long-standing infrastructure deficits, higher project costs, and decades of underdevelopment under federal oversight.

“What Sarawak needs is a needs-based and landmass-adjusted formula—one that takes into account our geographical size, development gaps, and our significant contributions to the national economy,” he said.

He further pointed out that despite contributing billions in oil and gas revenue to federal coffers, Sarawak still has communities lacking access to basic infrastructure such as clean water, electricity, healthcare and education.

“This is about honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the 18-Point Agreement. These are not optional or symbolic, they are legal and constitutional guarantees of Sarawak’s rights to greater autonomy and equitable development,” he said.

Wilfred also criticised what he described as continued centralised decision-making in the 13MP, with many federal projects designed in Putrajaya without meaningful Sarawakian input.

“True progress requires a clear roadmap for the devolution of power particularly in education, healthcare and infrastructure.

“It also requires statutory guarantees for fair, needs-based allocations and greater transparency in project implementation, with direct Sarawakian oversight.

“Sarawak must continue fighting for fair funding formulas that reflect Sarawak's real needs and full MA63 implementation, not piecemeal concessions,” he said. -UKASnews