Seek compromise for sake of the rakyat

THE recent call by Federal Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar for Sarawak to amend its wildlife laws caused much furore among legislators in the state who have advised him to read the Constitution on such matters. Unfortunately, these legislators jumped the gun as the federal minister was calling for stricter laws to ensure that our wildlife and natural resources are better protected and not to belittle state laws on these matters.

It is not a healthy state of affairs when everything is broken down to politics between state and federal legislators; we should reach a compromise on many things for the well-being of Malaysians regardless of their political beliefs.

A good example is education where the spat between the federal and state governments over repair bills left numerous schools in Sarawak in derelict condition. Similarly, medical facilities in Sarawak also suffer from lack of financial resources due to the ongoing spat between the two governments. And the never-ending dispute over the royalty for oil and gas could even go to court for arbitration.

Both the federal and state governments seem to have a siege mentality when it comes to settling disputes between them; neither side can afford to lose face or risk political mileage in championing their causes. For the members of the public, such stand-offs are no better than putting pride over purpose.

The Sarawak Institute for Public Affairs (Sipa) calls for all concerned to have clear objectives when it comes to making decisions for the good of the people regardless of their political affiliations, creed or ethnicity. What’s important is that the governments of the day should put the interest of the people foremost in their decisions.

For far too long, our elected officials have deemed it their right and position to make decisions that suit their political aims, which at times are detrimental to the well-being of Malaysians. Change is necessary for all concerned in public interest decision-making, otherwise we will all suffer the collateral damage of ill-conceived decisions.

PHILIP WONG Director Sarawak Institute for Public Affairs Kuching