KUCHING, Nov 2: The request for education autonomy in Sarawak will be brought before the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Meeting (MTP), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for approval.
According to a TVS news report, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs, and Special Duties) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, stated that the issue of education autonomy was discussed during the MA63 Technical Committee Meeting held last March and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“Autonomy in education is one of the three new demands related to MA63, alongside health autonomy in both Sabah and Sarawak, and the change in status of Bintulu Port from a Federal Port to a Sarawak State Port.
“In addition to these new demands, the original six demands of Sabah and Sarawak have already been fully resolved,” he said during the question and answer session of the Dewan Rakyat meeting today.
Ugak further elaborated that among the demands that have been successfully resolved is the recognition of the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) of Sabah and Sarawak as Technical Departments under the Treasury Directive 182, as well as the transfer of regulatory powers over Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Sarawak.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that all agreements within MA63 are addressed. However, the timeframe for the resolution of each claim is subject to the relevant legal processes and the readiness of the State government in terms of operations, human resources, and finances,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
