By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 7: Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh questions why federal allocations for its departments and agencies have been cut to the extent that some schools did not have the money to even buy ink toner for their photocopy machines.
“We often hear complaints from federal government officers about the decrease in department allocations, especially for schools, hospitals and clinics, police, Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department) and others.
“At some schools, there is no money to even buy toner for photocopy machines. ‘Apa ni…’ (What’s this?). It seems that the financial situation of the federal government is very critical,” he told the august House here when debating the 2020 State Budget today.
With all the constraints, how could the departments and agencies function properly, he questioned.
This, he added, has not taken into account the ‘blocking’ by certain federal ministries of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government efforts, such as RTM which has been prohibited from providing coverage involving GPS leaders even when the functions or events have no political element.
“And recently, I heard that GPS YBs are barred from officiating in any function in schools. ‘Apa ni… ingatkan bumi ini bapak dia yang punya’ (What’s this.. they think that this earth belongs to their father),” he criticised.
As such, Miro suggested that the GPS government also does the same by blocking the mobility of all federal departments and agencies in Sarawak.
“Any important departments and agencies like education, immigration, customs and others, we take on fully autonomous (sic). ‘Biar padan muka mereka’ (Let it serve them right),” he added. — DayakDaily
