CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH FEDERAL GOVT CRUCIAL FOR SARAWAK'S DEVELOPMENT - WAN JUNAIDI

KUCHING, May 6 (Bernama) -- The close relationship between the Sarawak state government and the federal government is a crucial in efforts to advance the state in line with development policies, said Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Wan Junaidi said Sarawak requires a significant allocation of funds to implement various development projects and programmes.

“I call on the federal government to continue providing sufficient development funds in line with Sarawak’s rights and status as a region,” he said at the inauguration of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. 

He urged the prompt restoration and implementation of Sarawak’s eroded rights agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“The restoration of Sarawak’s rights enshrined in the MA63 is very close to my heart.

“We appreciate the federal government’s commitment under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who formed the MA63 Implementation Action Council Technical Committee as a platform to discuss Sarawak’s demands,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said that the continuous commitment of the federal government is essential in efforts to carry out socio-economic and infrastructure development in Sarawak, especially in education, health, security, border development and major road networks.

“I am pleased that the federal government has agreed to Sarawak’s approach of building and funding education and health projects first, which will be reimbursed by the federal government,” he said, adding that this approach can accelerate the development of educational facilities and healthcare services in the state.

--BERNAMA