By NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY & SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: Sarawak has called for decentralisation in its pursuit of greater autonomy over state matters with Malaya.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said federalism comes with certain inherent obligations and responsibilities of each party that are embedded within the system.
“For us to maintain cohesion, harmony, and building a better future for all our citizens, it is crucial that the federal system be strengthened, not through more centralisation, but towards greater decentralisation and autonomy to be accorded to Sarawak in line with spirits of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Thus, for the sake of national unity and the future of this federation, I urge the new federal government to listen to the loud and clear voices of Sarawakians who have given a resounding mandate to the GPS government.
“It is not a unitary system, nor is it a one-sided affair. Its future lies with the fulfilment of these obligations by the signatory states towards one another,” he said.
He said this when tabling the Supply (2023) Bill, 2022 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government headed by Abang Johari will not stop in its quest to fight for Sarawak’s rights in line with MA63.
He pointed out that, although Sarawak has achieved many successes in the past since independence for the past 60 years in the Federation of Malaysia, the state’s struggle to ensure as an equal partner with Malaya, has yet to be recognised.
Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak’s founding fathers have made every effort to ensure that the rights of Sarawak as a region within Malaysia are not eroded in time.
“The basic rights and matters that need to be protected are enshrined in the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
“One of GPS’s struggles is to continue to defend and protect these enshrined rights and reclaim any rights that have been eroded,” he said.
It was reported earlier that the state is looking at decentralisation that fits into healthcare autonomy aspirations that would include setting up its own regulatory framework, such as establishing the Sarawak Medical Council to control doctors who are qualified to practise, among other regulatory measures including education matters.
