KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) handed over two copies of the new deal agreement to the State Government, through the Chief Minister’s Office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here, yesterday.
PH Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen handed over the agreement and a letter addressing to the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg which was received by the Head of Security Personnel at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
Later in a media conference, Chong said on behalf of PH, they forwarded a new deal agreement which was signed by him, PKR Sarawak Chairman, Baru Bian and Amanah Sarawak Chairman, Mohamad Fidzuan Zaidi.
“In the new deal agreement, we offer the restoration of the status of Sarawak to one of the three territories in Malaysia,
20 per cent oil and gas royalties and 50 per cent of all tax revenues collected in Sarawak to be paid to the State Government,” he pointed out.
He also said that the agreement offer the state government the devolution of full autonomy and fiscal power in Education, which includes setting up English medium primary and secondary schools and the devolution of full autonomy and fiscal power in healthcare, including all procurement power and employment decisions and devolution of power in commerce and trade matters.
“In the event that PH shall form the Federal Government in the coming 14th General Election, the new deal shall be what the PH Federal Government offers to Sarawak and the Sarawak State Government,” he stressed, adding there was no need for further negotiation.
According to him, under the BN manifesto, there was nothing concrete and specific about what powers are to be devolved to the State. Everything will still be subject to further negotiation after the general election.
“As the matter involves transfer of power and autonomy from the Federal Government to the State Government, it is pertinent the State Government, as the recipient of the powers and responsibilities to be devolved, must first agree to accept the transfer,” he said.
He said there was no time frame given for the new deal agreement to be signed.
