KUCHING: The Sarawak government can now draw up serious plans on health and education aspects for the good of the people, said political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.
Commenting on the federal government’s move to agree in principle to return the autonomy on education and health to the state, Fadzil said only the Sarawak government knows about the needs and difficulties faced by its people, without the bureaucracy.
“Education is very important because only Sarawak can truly understand the issues, especially involving dilapidated schools and lack of teachers without having to wait for approval from the federal government.
“With the granting of the autonomy, the Sarawak government, with the provision as promised and the authority to approve development projects worth RM50 million or less, will be able to implement it and directly restore the rights under MA63,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, today (Jan 8).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously disclosed that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Action Council meeting will be held in Kuching.
Anwar said one of the meeting’s agenda would be to finalise the special allocation for Sabah and Sarawak under 112D of the Federal Constitution.
Therefore, Fadzil said it is a good platform to discuss matters not only on education and health but beyond, which had been agreed to in MA63.
On the lack of medical specialists in the state, Fadzil said the Sarawak government had concerted various efforts on producing many doctors to serve the state.
“Giving 40 medical students scholarships every year and to serve at least 10 years in the state is one of the early initiatives by the state government.
“So when the education and health autonomy to Sarawak is returned, the efforts that have been made by the state government will be strengthened,” he said.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the federal government’s move to agree in principle to return the autonomy on education and health is to further strengthen Sarawak’s rights as enshrined under MA63.
He added that details on the matter are currently being worked out.
