Adenan speaking during the press conference. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
KUCHING: Negotiations on devolution of powers to Sarawak between the state and federal governments are expected to yield some results by the end of this year, revealed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Describing the negotiations as something that is “very complicated and very involved,” he said he did not foresee the negotiations which also concern the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, Malaysia Agreement 1963, Malaysia Act 1963, Federal Constitution as well as the Cobbold Commission Report, to end early.
“These are very complicated negotiations. I do not expect early results but I think something will be announced before the end of this year,” he told a press conference at the first day of his Hari Raya Open House at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here Wednesday.
According to him, one or two decisions from the negotiations in relation to further administrative devolution and the delegation of power are expected to be finalised by then.
Adenan met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for a second phase meeting on the state’s devolution of power in Putrajaya on Monday (July 4) where the prime minister was presented with two memoranda in relation to the federal-state relationship since 1963.
“We talked about the Cobbold Commission Report and recommendation, the IGC Report and recommendation, Malaysia Act and Malaysia Agreement.
“I also related the history of formation of Malaysia. Unfortunately most of those involved are no longer with us as this happened so many years ago. But from the history books, institutionalised history, we managed to gather the evidence,” he said, adding that he also detailed out the state government’s position with regard to the issues.
Adenan added that Najib had proposed that both state and federal governments form a committee of federal officers specifically lawyers, federal attorney general and state attorney general.
“As far as Sarawak is concerned, in this committee, we will be represented by our state attorney general, deputy state secretary general and of course, legal counsel. They will conduct a talk after Hari Raya and they will report back to the prime minister and me on their findings,” he said.
The first day of Adenan’s Hari Raya Open House saw thousands of people from all walks of life gathering at BCCK to wish the chief minister and his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu ‘Selamat Hari Raya’.
Among those present were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg as well as cabinet members and other dignitaries.