Devolution of powers to Sarawak expected to end by year-end - Adenan

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem expects negotiations pertaining to the devolution of powers from the federal government to the state government to end by year-end.

"These are very complicated negotiations, I do not expect early results but I think something will be announced before the end of this year.

"Not all the results but the negotiations are very complicated that involve legal issues, political issues and so on...but I expect one or two decisions would have been made end of this year," he told a press conference at his Hari Raya Open House at the Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK) here.

Asked what the two decisions were, Adenan said they were in relation to further administrative devolution and the delegation of power.

On Monday (July 4), he met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Prime Minister's Office.

Adenan said he was glad there was positive response from the federal government during their meeting.

"During the meeting, I detailed the Sarawak Government's decision with regard to these issues, (and) he (Najib) suggested we form a committee of federal officers, especially lawyers, Attorney-General and the Sarawak Attorney-General.

"As far as Sarawak is concerned in this committee, we will be represented by the Sarawak Attorney-General and state legal counsel Datuk J. C. Fong," he added.

He said the committee would conduct talks after the Hari Raya, and later report back to Najib and himself on their findings.