KUCHING – The housing agenda should be regarded as a central pillar of national development and not merely as the provision of shelter, said Sarawak Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian.
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Speaking at the launch of the Canning Residences project at the Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, Dr. Sim noted that Sarawak was in a unique position where the number of housing units exceeded the number of households.
“Sarawak has 779,000 housing units, while the number of households is only 618,000. The real challenge is not about building more houses, but ensuring that existing housing truly meets the needs of the people,” he said.
He explained that the government’s approach under the 14th Malaysia Plan would focus on upgrading existing houses and repurposing vacant urban buildings into affordable rental units. This, he added, was more practical than constructing new housing areas far from the city, which could burden residents with long commutes.
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Dr. Sim also highlighted demographic challenges, noting that the state’s annual birth rate, once at 40,000, dropped sharply to 20,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic before rebounding to 30,000. Meanwhile, Sarawak records about 16,000 deaths annually — a figure expected to rise alongside its ageing population.
He further expressed pride in the achievements of Sarawak General Hospital (HUS), which has emerged as a recognised centre for world-class medical research. Last year, HUS conducted four “first-in-human” clinical studies, including one sponsored by pharmaceutical giant Roche, making it the first hospital in Southeast Asia entrusted with such trials.
“Despite a smaller budget compared to hospitals abroad, Sarawak General Hospital managed to conduct 155 clinical studies, nearly matching the 222 studies at the Royal Bristol Hospital in the UK,” Dr. Sim said.
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The event also marked the launch of Canning Residences by Top Green Group, a freehold condominium in Tabuan Jaya designed for multi-generational living. Top Green Group Managing Director Goh Kim Sin said the development catered to demand for spacious, premium-finished residences, contrasting with the trend of compact, high-density units.
The project, named “Jia Ning Yuan” in Chinese — meaning harmony and excellence — reflects the developer’s aspiration to foster a high-quality residential community in Kuching.
Also present at the launch were Top Green Group Directors Tristan Goh, Goh Ming Hui, Herbert Goh, Voon Mee Lee and Wesley Lee.
