PH baffled S’wak still in second phase of talks on devolution of power

KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak is baffled that the state is still in the second phase of pursuing devolution of power from the federal government.

Its chairman Chong Chieng Jen recalled that the state government was already into the second phase of negotiations for devolution of power before the passing of former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

"Before Adenan passed away, he already announced that the state government had completed the first phase and would proceed with the second phase.

"And now (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi) Abang Johari (Tun Openg) said they are entering the second phase which the state government has to negotiate with (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak)," he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Chong, who is Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman, pointed out that Barisan Nasional (BN) is the ruling coalition in both the federal and state governments.

As such, he felt it should not take too long to talk about the matter if the federal government was sincere about returning the autonomous power to Sarawak.

"If the federal government is sincere about it, there is no need to drag it on. Is the socalled negotiation just a show staged by Najib and Abang Johari to fish for votes from Sarawakians?"