KUCHING, Jan 4: Autonomy granted to Sarawak and Sabah for development projects under RM50 million will help to reduce bureaucracy and expedite the implementation of needed projects for the people.
Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman emphasised this in lauding the unity government’s decision to grant Sarawak and Sabah decision-making rights over development projects costing below RM50 million.
“I welcome this development in regards to the restoration and the realisation of rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to Sarawak and Sabah and thank the Federal government for their decision.
“This also empowers both Sarawak and Sabah to have more authority in development that is implemented in the two states,” he said in a statement today.
In the immediate term, the chief political secretary to the Premier added that this will allow for greater emphasis on concerted development to bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas.
For Sarawak, Fazzrudin pointed out that swift implementation of development projects is key to the fulfillment of the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 pioneered by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
At the same time, he said Sarawak looks forward to the restoration of more rights to Sarawak and Sabah by the Federal government.
“We thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to have a meeting to resolve Sarawak’s claim for the payment of special grants to the Borneo states under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution and we hope for a favourable outcome to Sarawak.
“We also hope that other matters such as decentralisation of power in regards to education and health will be looked into by the Federal government,” he added.
Earlier today, the unity government announced that the Finance Ministry has agreed that Sarawak and Sabah be granted full autonomy including decision-making rights for development projects under RM50 million.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noted that many projects cannot be fulfilled in both Sarawak and Sabah effectively despite the presence of the Public Works Department (JKR) in both the Borneo States and huge funds allocated due to bureaucracy and the need to refer to the central government for decisions.
The delegation of power to technical agencies like JKR and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) in Sarawak and Sabah was one of the demands enshrined under MA63. — DayakDaily
