KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today confirmed he met Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and three other Sarawak federal ministers on Thursday to discuss a few issues regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that could be solved in one month.
“Other than that, there are some issues related to legislation that we think we can’t solve in one month.
“And Fadillah is aware of these issues,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of the state-level Astronomy Seminar at the Islamic Information Centre (IIC) here today.
Abang Johari revealed he also met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a few days ago to discuss MA63 as well as matters related to the mechanism in developing federal projects in Sarawak.
He said the discussion touched on the trust fund and the mechanism which would be used to develop the projects through the trust fund.
“I am confident with this, there will not be too much bureaucracy.
“What is important is empowerment or devolution of power to the state,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Abang Johari said the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister from the state in the federal cabinet had never been on the agenda of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for 15th general election (GE15).
“Who would have thought that Fadillah will be the DPM? But because they need our support, and I abide by the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the unity government for Malaysia, I said ‘okay’ when Anwar appointed a DPM from Sarawak,” he said.
