THE State Government had been actively involved in the discussion on issues pertaining to the devolution of authority from its federal counterpart, Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said.
According to him, a steering committee jointly chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nancy Shukri had been set up at the federal level to look into the matter.
At the state level, a Technical Committee has also been set up and it is also chaired by Anifah.
The committee has received the Terms of Reference for discussion among which are the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including the ICJ Report and relevant documents.
The committee will also identify issues under the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Act and Malaysia Agreement 1963 which have not be fulfilled up to today as well as articles in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and relevant documents which have yet to be implemented.
It will also look at issues that had caused the erosion of state powers or autonomy to the state, Teo said, adding that all suggestions and decisions of both the committees would be classified as confidential.
The technical committee would later identify issues and put up recommendations and solutions on how to resolve the problems for the steering committee to consider.
Both committees also had to find a resolution so that empowerment of authority on issues involving the Malaysia Agreement 1963 which had not been fulfilled or implemented without any amendment to the Federal Constitution, he said, adding “although suggestions and resolutions which involve amendment can be discussed only as a final option.
Among the specific issues pertaining to the devolution of power that were discussed were to allow federal officers at the state level to make decisions and that the state government be given a bigger role in decision projects, especially in terms of location and priority.
Interviews for posts in the civil service, especially in the teaching and police force will also be conducted in rural areas, not only in urban towns and the State Attorney be empowered to charge offences under state law.
“Sabah and Sarawak need to also be given a role in the approval and issuing of permits for deep sea fishing,” he pointed out.
Teo was replying to Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing who wanted to know what was the state government doing to claim Sabah’s rights as inscribed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
According to him, there were suggestions as to the devolution of power which could be implemented immediately and these include no overlapping of functions between state and federal agencies like the Public Works Department and Tourism.
The state government must be consulted on the matter of setting up of new agencies and the number of Sabahans appointed as department heads must be increased, he said.
“Sabah has a different approach to Sarawak when it comes to discussing the above issues. For example, we do not use the media to pass on our request as the type of devolution of power we want.
“Although what we are doing is considered as ‘soft’ what is important is that we get what we want. We are confident that the discussion we are having now will result in a consensus between the two states and the federal government,” he said.
Meanwhile, to Bumburing’s suggestion that the state government should have a controlled public forum so that stakeholders who are the rakyat of Sabah can give their opinion in the matter, Teo is of the opinion it is up to the two commitees.
“We have set up a committee at the federal level and a technical committee at state level. It is up to the committees to discuss the best way to obtain input from all quarters, including from the opposition.
“As long as it will bring benefit to Sabah we will welcome it and believe me there are channels for all quarters to give their opnions and suggestions so that we can all stand strong and we will do the best for our beloved state,” he said.
He also pointed out that the state government had taken a very strong stand on issues pertaining to claiming the rights of Sabah as well as defending what was inscribed in the Federal Constitution.
“For example, a few month before this, there was a proposal to extend the federal law on the collection of solid waste in Sabah. It was discussed in the State Cabinet and are of the opinion that the local government’s authority is under the state jurisdiction as stated in the Federal Constitution.
“But we did not publicise this as we know with the good relationship we have with the federal government there is no need to do publicity. This is just an example of the State Government’s stand firm in defending our rights,” he said.