By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Sept 16: Sarawak government welcomes the Shared Prosperity Vision policy introduced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said despite the State and federal governments being two separate political platforms, cooperation between the two is possible and much needed for the benefits of Sarawakians and Malaysia as a whole.
“Even though the state and federal government are of different political platforms, I am confident that this would not stop us from cooperating together for the benefits of the people and the country.
“In this respect I welcome the Shared Prosperity Vision policy announced by the Prime Minister recently,” said Abang Johari at the National Level Malaysia Day 2019 Celebration at Stadium Perpaduan here this evening.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) called for amendments to the Malayan Constitution before its adoption as the Federal Constitution.
This, he explained, provided for a unique federal system of government whereby additional legislative, executive powers and more sources of revenues were assigned to the states of Sabah and Sarawak to safeguard their special interests in the Federation of which they were partners in the formation.
“The federalism which the Federal Constitution embraced was therefore unique and tailored made to ensure the continued unity and harmony of the Federation, and her future progress and development.
“The concept and practice of federalism differs from nation to nation. However, it is said that some common elements do exist in all federal systems.
“In my view, the most important of these common elements are – a written Constitution, which outlines power-sharing terms among the Federal and State Governments; and non-centralization, which provides a system for enforcement of constitutional terms through diffusion of power,” said Abang Johari.
He said in any political systems where there are two or more administrative authorities, there are bound to be some misunderstandings or disagreements due to the needs at the time, aspirations and development agendas between them.
Abang Johari said the Federal Constitution for instance, provided for this delineation of powers by instituting the federal, state and concurrent lists.
“Despite these, disagreements between the various governments do arise from time to time on the extent, scope and interpretation of the legislative and executive authorities provided in the Constitution, and whether any law passed had exceeded the constitutional powers provided either to Parliament or the Legislative State Assembly,” he said.
In that regard Abang Johari thanked Dr Mahathir for establishing the MA63 Steering Committee to deal with the issue.
“We are all confident and looking forward to solutions which will see no losers, and more importantly, no derogation of constitutional rights (but) special safeguards and status accorded to the States of Sabah and Sarawak as agreed by the nation’s founding fathers embedded 56 years ago in the Federal Constitution,” he said.— DayakDaily
