By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, March 31: The Federal and Sarawak government special task force committee at the officer level has decided to meet in two weeks’ time to address critical issues concerning the autonomy of health and education within Sarawak.
Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said that following this meeting, the task force officers must promptly present their working papers to the Federal Cabinet for the finalisation of strategies to manage these pressing concerns.
This decision for the task force to convene was made subsequent to discussions between the Sarawak government and the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s visit to Kuching on Saturday (March 30).
“During our discussions with the Prime Minister, we conducted a special briefing focusing on education and health issues. In principle, several measures have been agreed upon for implementation.
“However, one of the current challenges faced by the federal government lies in financial allocation,” Fadillah explained to reporters after a ceremony to present ‘duit Raya’ organised by Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Muslim Kampung Gita Matang held at Kampung Pinang multipurpose hall today.
Fadillah further elaborated that as the Sarawak government aims to establish its cancer centre urgently, the State will need to provide the initial funding which has been agreed mutually by both State and federal authorities.
Similarly, in addressing school infrastructure, he emphasised that the Sarawak government is expected to contribute initially from its own allocation for the building of seven schools.
“Dilapidated and unsafe school buildings will be given priority. We are committed to addressing similar issues within clinics, hospitals, and government officials’ quarters under the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MOE), which are in poor condition,” he added.
Furthermore, Fadillah disclosed that the first technical committee meeting for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is scheduled to take place after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Tupong Assemblyman Fazzruddin Abdul Rahman was also present. — DayakDaily
