Thumbs-up for Adenan on push for greater autonomy — Wan Junaidi

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Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

KUCHING: Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has lauded Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on his effort in seeking greater autonomy for Sarawak by redelegation of power in some areas from the federal side to the state.

According to Wan Junaidi, with more people being involved in such work, the delivery of results would be must faster as there are more people in it who are locals.

“We want the policy to come directly from the state and the state department has to right to do any enhancement that it feels necessary, despite having some officers from (the) federal (side),” he told reporters after presenting assistance at his parliamentary service centre at Jalan Kulas here yesterday.

Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, believed that the state could also be involved in enforcement matters. However, he said Sarawakian officers should not only be focusing to return to their home state, stressing that they must also ‘aim big’ at federal
level.

“We want Sarawakians to also become director-generals of departments, heads of agencies and members of the boards of directors at federal level. Sarawakians needs to be among the policymakers, too,” he added.

On the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Wan Junaidi said there would be several laws that needed to be amended to protect the nation, especially its biodiversity.

“The rules, especially in Sarawak and Sabah, will need to be relooked and improved to ensure that our biodiversity is protected and applicable in line with the TPPA.”

On the coming El Nino phenomenon, Wan Junaidi said his ministry had directed all state departments to enforce the ‘no open burning’ policy.

“We have also activated our operations room to monitor the current situation, including the water levels at dams, tube wells and other locations deemed necessary.”

Earlier, Wan Junaidi presented allocation worth RM82,000 to the management committee of Masjid Nurir Rahmani Santubong, which was represented by its chairman Hardy Morni.

The minister also gave out an emergency assistance of RM26,300 to 50 local students.