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MIRI – Sarawak PKR is appealing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to hasten the devolution of powers in health and education, which are now under the federal government, to the state.
Its adviser and former Miri MP Dr Michael Teo said the devolution of authority in these two key areas can be done in the very short term.
“The two sectors of health and education can be taken over by the Sarawak state government very soon,” he said to The Vibes.
“We at PKR have spoken about this matter to Datuk Seri Anwar before and he was agreeable.”
He noted that Sarawak PKR had specified these requirements in its manifesto for the recently concluded 15th general election.
The state should acquire total control over the two matters so that decision-making and disbursement of development funds can be done swiftly, he explained.
“At present, all decisions pertaining to health and education in Sarawak need to be referred to the ministries in Putrajaya.
“The process requires a lot of tedious submission of letters, documents, application forms et cetera.
“That is why repairs and upgrading of hospitals and clinics and schools can take a long time,” he stressed.
“Once the devolution of authority from Putrajaya to the state is done, all decisions can be made in Kuching already.”
Sarawak PKR is also in talks with the new federal administration on various other current issues affecting ordinary Sarawakians, he added.
Dr Teo is playing an advisory role to PKR now after having served two terms as Miri MP. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022