Sarawak Cancer Centre: Malaysia’s first dedicated public cancer hospital to be operational in 2031

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has officially directed the Public Works Department (JKR) to expedite the development of the Sarawak Cancer Centre (SCC), setting an accelerated timeline for the RM1.5 billion project.

This directive comes following a special meeting on national strategic projects in Putrajaya.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian shared that the tender for the facility is now slated for issuance in the first quarter of 2026, with construction expected to commence by the third quarter of the same year.

The SCC, a key initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan, aims to be fully operational before 2031.

Spanning over 154,000 square metres, the 310-bed facility will be Malaysia’s first dedicated, full-fledged public cancer hospital.

It is planned nearby the current Sarawak Heart Centre and the now constucted Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC).

It is intended to anchor the Sarawak Health Metropolis in Samarahan, addressing the urgent need for advanced oncological services in the Sarawak.

To facilitate the project, the Sarawak government is extending a RM1 billion loan to the federal government with the centre proposed to have state-of-the-art infrastructure for medical specialists to better serve patients while helping retain subspecialist talent.

Sarawak is currently building up its health facilities with the construction of numerous massive and well known private hospitals, the constuction of related medical and health facilities like the SIDC, and the upgrade and expansion of current public hospitals and clinics within Sarawak.

News source: Borneo Post, SKH