KUCHING: The Sarawak government reaffirmed its stand that matters pertaining to local government are under the State List of the Federal Constitution.
Local Government Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil in a statement today said, “Any federal policies relating to local government do not bind the State of Sarawak.
“As for matters on housing, we (state government) also wish to point out that under the Federal Constitution, the executive authority on matters enumerated in the Concurrent List is conferred on the State.”
Penguang was responding to a recent report on the establishment of 16 parliamentary committees under the purview of Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN) Wilayah Sarawak, purportedly pursuant to a National Community Policy launched by the Federal Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin on Feb 17, 2019.
On May 26, PKN Wilayah Sarawak information chief Leslley Kalom, in a statement said, the main focus of PKN as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) was to develop the economy, social, education and enhance unity among the community.
“The main objectives include assisting the lower income group such as B40 group, urban poor and targeted groups identified in the National Community Policy.
“We have established 16 PKN parliamentary committees so far namely in Petra Jaya, Santubong, Kota Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Stampin, Miri, Lubok Antu, Bintulu, Tanjong Manis, Kapit, Sarikei, Betong, Puncak Borneo, Saratok, Sibu and Igan.
“We wish to establish 15 more new committees in the future,” he was reported as saying then.
