By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 21: The Borneonisation of Federal public service in Sarawak, and the development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border area are among matters that still require further discussions and negotiations between the Sarawak and Federal governments.
These matters also include the recognition of Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) as a technical department under Treasury Instruction 182.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, disclosed this during a question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) in response to questions from Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assam.
She added that ongoing negotiations also cover the proposal to amend Item 25A (Tourism) from List I (Federal List) to List III (Concurrent List) under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
“Health matters, such as the proposed delegation of authority to the Director of Health of Sarawak to carry out functions under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) and other issues concerning the development, improvement, and planning of healthcare facilities in Sarawak,” she said.
Education is another key area, particularly issues surrounding staffing, and the use of English in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“I wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat for Katibas that the Sarawak Government will continue to engage with the Federal Government to ensure all our rights embedded under MA63 and IGC Report as well as the Federal Constitution are restored and respected by the Federal Government,” said Sharifah Hasidah.
She added that aside from issues already resolved or partially resolved, Sarawak is actively pursuing matters already agreed to in principle.
Among them is the empowerment of the Sarawak Government’s environmental regulatory authority through the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).
She also noted that amendment to the Federal Constitution regarding the power to appoint the Judicial Commissioner in Sarawak, for which the Sarawak Government has submitted a draft proposal to amend Article 122AB of the Federal Constitution to the Judicial Appointments Commission, is also among the matters to be further discussed. — DayakDaily
