KUCHING, April 9: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak is planning to bring their “New Deal For Sarawak” to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg before the 14th General Election (GE14) is called.
Speaking at a press conference today, PH Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said they will fix a date and time with the Chief Minister’s office so that the PH Sarawak team, consisting of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak chairman Baru Bian, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Sarawak chairman Fidzuan Zaidi and he himself can personally meet with Abang Johari who is state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.
The New Deal For Sarawak agreement outlines the wishes of Sarawakians for greater autonomy, devolution of power to Sarawak and a path towards the transformation of Sarawak.
The six-page agreement touches on Restoration of Territorial Integrity, Devolution of Powers in Trade and Commerce, Taxation and Public Revenues, Borneonisation of the Civil Service, Sports, Education, Health, Social Security, Civil Infrastructure and Development, Natural Resources (Oil and Gas) and Tourism.
“There is a real possibility of a change of the federal government while the Sarawak state government will still remain under Barisan Nasional (BN) as Sarawak will not be holding its state election this time.
“Therefore to implement such devolution, the Sarawak government should accept the offer by the Federal Pakatan Harapan government,” Chong said.
Chong, who is also DAP Sarawak chairman said there is no reason for BN Sarawak to refuse the meeting or to sign the agreement.
“This is our offer for Sarawak. If PH becomes the next federal government, we will devolve certain powers to the state. So in order for us to devolve power to the state, the state must agree to accept it,” he added. — DayakDaily
