We fully support the recent statements made by our Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the State Government which will be consulted on all federal legislations affecting Sarawak. Our Chief Minister had mentioned this was among the achievements made by the Sarawak government to reinstate eroded state powers.
According to him, our state government will be consulted in the drafting of federal legislations which have bearing or impact on the state government of Sarawak, where provided by law and he noted that we had made leaps and bounds in attaining eroded state powers.
This includes authorising state legal officers as authorised by the public prosecutor under the Criminal Procedure Code to conduct prosecution for offenc- es under state ordinances from the stage a person is charged in the lower court until the appeal stage. Similarly, the number of posts in the Sarawak Immigration Department is also being increased to improve the department’s enforcement functions in the state with the creation of 100 new posts.
Thirdly, increasing the ratio of Sarawak-born teachers serving in the state to about 90 percent of the total number of teachers in Sarawak and this to ensure that this target is achieved, temporary teachers from the open market are to be considered from time to time. On development initiatives, Our Chief Minister had announced the priority would be given to the five-year Sarawak State Development Plan for planning of federal projects in the state based on the approved budget.
Thus, the implementation of the projects will be referred or negotiated between the Federal Ministry and the state government such as determining the location of schools, hospitals and the implementation of other development projects particularly in rural areas.
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