By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 24: Future federal initiatives to be introduced in Sarawak must be discussed and deliberated in the joint committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Works Minister Baru Bian.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Putrajaya cannot decide and make decisions concerning or related to Sarawak on their own.
“This also include MPKKP (Federal Village Community Management Council in Sarawak),” he told a press conference after chairing the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council meeting at the party headquarters in Jalan Bako, here, today.
“Whether they suggest for (the setting up of) an agency to help the people, it must be negotiated through the committee,” he added.
Abang Johari, who is PBB president, pointed out that federal cannot decide matters related to Sarawak on their own, which was why a joint committee was formed in the first place.
“This is so that there will not be contradiction. If not, it will be a waste of resources. When discussed, we can find out how we can manage it,” he said.
“If unilateral, it will contradict with our laws. If so, our law stands. That’s the opposition,” he added.
Abang Johari said decisions that were made one-sided will contradict with the objective of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to have the joint committee.
However, he added that the committee must be overall to look into social and economic developments concerning Sarawak. — DayakDaily
