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Putrajaya must not abdicate financial responsibility

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Dr Lee Kuok Tiung

KUCHING: The federal government’s move to agree in principle to return the autonomy on education and health to Sarawak is a good thing to help the state bring its plans to fruition.

In pointing this out, political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said these include emphasising on English in the education system and better health services as only Sarawak has a better understanding of the situation on the ground.

“However, greater financial allocation must be given to Sarawak as we all know that education and health are under the Federal List, which means the cost is borne by the Federal government.

“The Federal government, however, must not let go of its responsibility once the autonomy is returned to the Sarawak government,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, today (Jan 8).

He was commenting on the returning of autonomy on education and health to Sarawak as mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah said this is part of the move to further strengthen Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and that details on the matter are being worked out.

Separately, on the announcement by the Finance Ministry to allow any project valued at RM50 million and below to be decided by the Sabah and Sarawak governments, Lee believed that the people would like to know the amount allocated to both states.

“What is the meaning of letting both states to decide on projects valued at RM50 million and below but no allocation is given?” he said.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim such projects would not need go through the federal government and could be decided by the state governments.

 

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