SARAWAK wants more federal funding to upgrade the state’s education and healthcare infrastructure.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said many schools, teachers’ quarters and healthcare facilities such as clinics and hospitals are in poor conditions.
“These facilities require greater federal allocation to modernise, improve and upgrade the quality of education and healthcare facilities as well as services.
“These are federal government responsibility. Thus, these requests must be considered by the federal government to ensure a better quality of life for all Sarawakians.”
He said when delivering his winding-up speech for the International Trade, Industry, and Investment Ministry in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today (Nov 20).
Awang Tengah also noted that dedicated committees have been established to address Sarawak’s demands for improved healthcare facilities, better infrastructure and strategic workforce planning.
“These discussions must lead to concrete and impactful outcomes. The Sarawak government is committed to pursuing this matter,” he assured.
On education, he said the federal government had agreed during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Action Council (MTPMA63) on Sept 12, among others, to delegate authority to Sarawak for approving state-funded educational projects.
“While this is a positive step, we remain steadfast in addressing unresolved issues,” he said.
He also said that the Sarawak would continue to pursue and advocate for the inclusion of Tourism to be placed in the Concurrent List under the Federal Constitution, instead of under the Federal List as at present.
“Sarawak also seeks the recognition of Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (JBALB) as a technical department under Treasury Instruction 182, and the creation of a trust fund to initiate development projects in Sarawak to expedite implementation by entrusting these projects under Sarawak’s control.
“To streamline the process, we propose channelling of federal funding for Sarawak’s development projects directly into a trust fund managed by the State Financial Secretary,” he said.
He said the state also seek to implementation Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sarawak; and development along the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border.
On matters of the annual Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, he said the annual special grant from RM16 million to RM300 million, represents a significant improvement.
“We commend the federal government for agreeing to further raise to RM600 million starting 2025. However, this remains an interim measure.
“A fixed formula should be agreed upon, so that a comprehensive financial review, as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, can be conducted without further delay,” he said.
On the matter of judicial appointments, he said the Sarawak government remains hopeful that amendments can be made to the Federal Constitution to institutionalise the power to appoint judicial commissioners in Sarawak, rather than relying on the current administrative arrangement.
