By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on the Federal government to emulate Sarawak’s decentralisation approach to empower local authorities.
Abang Johari highlighted that in Sarawak, nine development agencies have been established to empower rural leaders, each receiving an allocation of RM1.5 billion to be utilised within three years before additional funds are allocated.
“This means that decision-making is handled by local leaders, which is what we call decentralisation.
“Otherwise, everything would be managed centrally in Petra Jaya, all done at Wisma Bapa Malaysia,” he said during the Land and Survey Department Sarawak Innovation and Integrity Day 2024, streamed live via the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) Facebook page today.
He emphasised that such decentralisation empowers development agencies to implement projects based on the grassroots’ needs and wishes.
Abang Johari urged Putrajaya to empower local authorities, in this case, the State government, to implement projects such as building local schools or repairing dilapidated clinics.
He underscored that Sarawakians have the knowledge and capability to manage these projects if provided with the necessary funds, as stipulated under federal jurisdiction in the Malaysian Constitution.
“If they can’t implement local projects, empower the Sarawak government to do it. There should be no problem in carrying out the projects,” he stressed.
The Premier also mentioned that he had discussed this issue with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting in Samarahan.
As a result, Sarawak received approval to use its funds initially for building schools, with the Federal government reimbursing the expenses later. — DayakDaily
