KUCHING: The authority of the health autonomy that Sarawak seeks is to improve the health system, not to take over the system entirely, said Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
In stating this, the Deputy Health Minister disclosed that both the Ministry of Health and the state government have prepared their own draft of white papers on the matter, which are currently being evaluated by the prime minister and premier.
“In the proposal that was put forward by the state government, Sarawak wants to get autonomous authority to determine the project, where the project will be implemented, and what the amount of quantum for the project will be.
“For such a matter, as of now, it is still in the proposal stage. It will be further refined by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Action Council,” he said at a press conference after his work visit to Petra Jaya Hospital here today (Jan 8).
In line with this, he also revealed that one of the matters that was proposed by the state government is the authority to hire medical personnel.
“The state government proposed that Sarawak be given a little autonomy in the selection and placement of civil servants under the health service scheme.
“With the matter still under discussion, it also requires careful planning, which involves not only the federal and state governments but also agencies such as the Civil Service Commission (SPA),” he said.
As reported yesterday (Jan 7), Fadillah stated that the federal government has agreed in principle to return autonomy in education and health to Sarawak.
While pointing out that such a matter is part of the move to further strengthen Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the MA63, he confirmed that the details on the matter are being worked out and that it will be on the agenda during the MA63 Action Council’s first meeting, slated for early February in Kuching.
