Trust fund for federal devt projects

Abg Jo: Sarawak proposes that monies from Putrajaya meant for development be placed in special fund

This suggestion is a new approach in administration between the central and state governments.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg

KUCHING: A trust fund for the purpose of developing Sarawak has been proposed to the federal government, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said that any funds to develop Sarawak from the federal government will be placed into the fund.

“This means that if Sarawak has RM4 billion in development funds from the federal government, for example, then the RM4 billion will be placed in a single trust fund in Sarawak.

“This suggestion is a new approach in administration between the central and state governments,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Abang Johari also revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, had agreed in principle that federal funds for Sarawak’s development will be reviewed, during a meeting between the two on Saturday.

“If it can be implemented, and if it can be determined in Sarawak, it should be under the Ministry of Finance. This is a relatively new approach but the framework will be determined by a commi ee between the Ministry of Finance and also the prime minister himself,” he said.

During the press conference, Abang Johari who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman thanked Anwar for appointing five Sarawakian MPs as ministers, including one as deputy prime minister.

“This shows the concern of the federal government regarding the political development of the entire country. We now have five ministers from Sarawak and two from Sabah – this shows the concern of the new federal government,” he said.

Apart from Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who was appointed a deputy prime minister and given the Plantation and Commodities portfolio, the other MPs from Sarawak in the new unity Cabinet are Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi (Works), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Tourism), Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (Women, Family and Community Development), and Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (National Unity).

Prior to the press conference, Abang Johari officiated at the Sarawak Badminton Association’s (SBA) new hall.

Also present were Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; and SBA president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain.