Sarawak govt will work closely with federal govt — Abg Johari

KUCHING: The State government will work closely with the federal government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the interests of Sarawak and its people, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He pointed out that while the Sarawak government continues to ensure the progress of Sarawak, as a component entity in Malaysia, Sarawak will still be influenced by the national policies of the federal government.

"These national policies concern the federal budget and the allocation of funds for development, education and healthcare, order and security, the interest rate, the exchange rate, the bank lending policy, and many others," he told the august house in his windingup speech yesterday.

"We will develop good working relationships with Putrajaya. With constant engagement, we wish to convince the new federal government that what it is trying to accomplish at the national level can also be achieved by the Sarawak government at the state level," he said.

After all, he pointed out, Sarawak-based parties won 19 out of the 31 seats in the state during the 14th general election, giving them a majority of 61 per cent.

Sarawak's prime agenda, he continued, was to safeguard the interest of the state and to protect its rights as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963.

"The experience within the context of the national coalition parties such as Barisan Nasional (BN) has taught us a lesson, that is, Sarawak parties have no complete freedom to speak for Sarawak as they are obliged to observe the decisions by the BN coalition whip. This negates the freedom to act on Sarawak interests," he admitted.