To be known at suitable time
Role of new task force on MA63 talks different from present one, says Abang Johari
Ours will be a bit higher because it involves a constitutional discussion.
KUCHING: The state government will be making an announcement on the role of its new task force which was formed at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting earlier this month when the time is right.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the new task force, which was formed to negotiate with Putrajaya for greater autonomy based on the terms of Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63), was different from the current one headed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman.
“Ours wi l l be a bit higher because it involves a constitutional discussion,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the 20th Sarawak Skills Development Centre ( PPKS) and International College of Advanced Technology (i-CATS) convocation at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) here yesterday.
Abang Johari was responding to questions on whether the new task force would make the current one redundant given that the roles played by both task forces appeared to be similar.
He pointed out that this wasn’t the case as the new task force has a different ‘power’.
“The power is different. That one I have discussed with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and we will make certain announcement (when the time comes),” he said.
When pressed on when the announcement would be made, Abang Johari merely replied: ‘ Kelak lok baru madah’ ( I will inform later).
During a press conference on Nov 17, Abang Johari told reporters that the new task force would be
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
headed by the state’s three deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and hoped that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would be heading the federal task force during the discussion which should focus on the contents and spirit of MA63.
Meanwhi le, Abang Johari mentioned that he was not in agreement with the recent statement by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia which insinuated that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) was unimportant.
“I beg to differ with what Pandikar Amin has said on the Malaysia Agreement. You cannot just describe that the agreement is not important because it is a very important document where the territorial rights of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia is the basis of the Malaysia Agreement.”
Pandikar Amin recently told reporters after speaking at a public forum on MA63 in Kota Kinabalu that the emergence of documents in relation to the history of Malaysia’s formation, such as the 20-point Memorandum and the Cobbold Commission Report, were made so that people would believe that some of the demands outlined in MA63 were not met.
He poi nted out t hat t he documents merely contained recommendations (in forming Malaysia) and negotiations following various meetings at that time.
“They are not legally binding agreements. The only legally binding agreement is the MA63, which gives effect to all those recommendations made by those documents.”
He said there was also a string of historical events leading to Malaysia’s formation that cannot be separated.
“You must look into the total spirit of MA63 and why it was done in such a way.”
Earlier, Abang Johari presented graduates with their diplomas and certificates during the convocation which saw 896 students graduating in their respective fields.
Also present were PPKS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain who is also i- CATS president, PPKS executive director Hal lman Sabri and i- CATS chief executive Mohd Isham Fauzi.
KUCHING: Industry players in the state are urged to actively train and improve the skills of Technical and Vocational Education and Training ( Tvet) students through pioneer training programmes much like what is being practised in Germany.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is in line with the state government’s efforts in placing emphasis on Tvet so as to produce quality and productive human capital to support various initiatives related to the state’s development.
“In Germany, trainees are trained for three days in the industry and two days at training centres for three years.
“What’s i nterest i ng here is that funding from the government is minimal and the trainees also receive a monthly allowance,” he said at the 20th Sarawak Skills Development Centre ( PPKS) and International College of Advanced Technology (i- CATS) convocation at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) here yesterday.
He pointed out that the role played by the industry in developing human capital is huge and, as such, expressed his hope to see the ‘dual- training system’ practised in Germany implemented in Sarawak.
Abang Johari also noted that with initiatives such as the Industry 4.0 Programme and
In Germany, trainees are trained for three days in the industry and two days at training centres for three years.
Digital Economy, it has become even more crucial to empower Tvet graduates.
He said it is important for graduates today to have the skills to contribute to economic development through education and technical training based on industry expectations.
“This era is an exciting one particularly for Sarawak as the state government has implemented various initiatives for the state’s economic development.”
The state government’s main focus, he added, include prioritising the development of rural infrastructure, digital economy, affordable housing, Light Rail Transit ( LRT) as well as industrial sector development such as agriculture, education, tourism and petro- chemical.
“To support this initiative, the state government has set up the Petroleum Sarawak Berhad ( Petros) and Development Bank of Sarawak ( DBOS), among others.
“Apart from that, we will soon have our very own methanol plant in Bintulu which will be operating next year. This will involve many skilled manpower and specialists in the field of chemical engineering and other related engineering.”
On PPKS and i- CATS’ convocation, Abang Johari expressed his pride over the higher learning institutions’ achievement, having trained youths in skills through programmes accredited by the Department of Skills Development Malaysia.
He said the benefits of the skills programmes offered by PPKS and i- CATS were that graduates have the option to either continue with higher education or find jobs with their certificates or diplomas.
Since its inception in 1994, PPKS has trained nearly 50,000 graduates, and 82 per cent of its graduates managed to secure jobs six months after completing their training.
Also present were PPKS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain who is also i- CATS president, PPKS executive director Hallman Sabri and iCATS chief executive Mohd Isham Fauzi.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister