(From left) Abang Sardon presents a memento to Abang Johari at the start of the briefing in Sibu, as Abdul Karim looks on.
SIBU: The devolution of power to the state from the federal government is meant to strengthen the federation, not as a way to secede from it.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg stressed this at the opening of the briefing on ‘Devolution of Power Briefing’ conducted by the state Information Department at the Islamic Complex here yesterday.
“When we feel comfortable, there is no reason why we should break out from Malaysia. This (devolution of power) is the way forward, but the opposition takes advantage of this because they want to create sentiments to gain support.
“As far as Sarawak is concerned, the government only wants and strives to take back what is rightfully ours. It does not mean that we want other power; our rights, as agreed upon the formation of Malaysia must be observed and protected,” he pointed out, stressing that the negotiation on the devolution of power must be based on diplomacy instead of confrontation.
He said the state must convince the federal government that there was nothing nasty about getting the power back; instead, both sides could benefit together.
“When the federation is happy, that federation will become stronger.”
Abang Johari also said the state’s move to fight for its right was not an ambitious move – it was meant to enable Sarawakians to live comfortable and prosperous lives.
“We do not have ambition to become prime minister. We just want the people of Sarawak to have comfortable lives. If Sarawak is strong, we’d become the centre of Malaysia and they (federal side) could not ignore us because we’re independently strong. We do not need to be prime minister to become strong; being the chief minister is enough.
“And we do not need Umno – we want to and can manage ‘our own house’,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari said since the start of negotiations, there were 13 areas that had been returned to Sarawak such as the law, the formation of joint-committees (state and federal government) on the implementation and monitoring of projects under the concurrent list of the Housing Ministry and Tourism Ministry, as well as the agreement by the federal government to have 90 per cent of teachers in Sarawak being Sarawakians.
He also mentioned that the authority to issue licence on the distribution of gas had been given to the state.
“Even Petronas cannot issue the licence unless Sarawak said ‘yes’. These are some of the powers that have been given to us,” he said, pointing out that as a result of negotiations, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani had been appointed as one of the board members in Petronas.
“For the first time, a Sarawakian becomes the Petronas board member. Now we will know the direction of Petronas.”
However, Abang Johari acknowledged that there was still a long way to go as far as the devolution of power was concerned, as the leaders on the federal level kept on changing.
“The new generation now has to study why there is devolution of power and the basis of the formation of Malaysia – Malaysia is important and Sarawak is also important,” he said.
Meanwhile, state Information Department director Abang Sardon Abang Hashim said based on the survey by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, only 22 per cent of Malaysians claimed that they knew about the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He said the finding was interesting because it indicated that the formation of Malaysia was not being placed highly on the agenda of most people.
He also said a good knowledge in the devolution move was fundamental to the Information Department as it was facing an audience, particularly Sarawakians, who had formed their own interpretation on the agreement.
“As the official mouthpiece of the government, it goes without saying that we must be on the same page as our political masters if we’re to explain to the people what is actually being discussed by the chief minister and Putrajaya.”
Abang Sardon said the people’s understanding on the devolution of power had been made difficult and at times, it could be complicated and confusing due to several external factors such as the ‘confrontational’ approach by groups such as Sarawak For Sarawakians (S4S) and those from opposition political parties.
The briefing yesterday gathered 70 Information Department officers from across the state.
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sport Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King and Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee were also present at the programme.