Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem today listed 13 provisions of administrative empowerment to be delegated to the state government which were agreed upon during his meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Putrajaya yesterday.
Adenan said it was agreed that:
* State Legal Officers be authorised by the Public Prosecutor under the Criminal Procedure Code to conduct prosecution for offences under state ordinances from the stage a person is charged in the lower court until the appeal stage.
* there be delegation of power to state officers to represent the Public Service Commission and the Education Service Commission in the appointment of officers to the Federal Civil Service, including the teaching and medical services.
* posts in the Sarawak Immigration Department be enhanced to improve the enforcement functions in the state with an increase of 100 new posts, with full deployment by the end of February 2016.
* the ratio of Sarawak-born teachers serving in the state be increased to 90 per cent of the total number of teachers in Sarawak by 2018, and to ensure that this target is achieved, temporary teachers from the open market be considered from time to time and obtain their Diploma in Education while teaching.
* traffic warden powers for Sarawak Local Authorities be given to the Miri City Council, apart from the Kuching North City Hall and Kuching South City Council.
* the state government be consulted before an application for a deep area fishing permit is forwarded to the Deep Sea Permit Evaluation Comittee for consideration.
* the state government be consulted in the drafting of federal legislation which has a bearing or impact on the Sarawak state government, where provided by law.
* the planning of federal projects in Sarawak give priority to the five-year Sarawak State Development Plan based on the approval budget. Implementation of the projects should be referred/negotiated between the ministry and the state government, such as determining the location of schools, hospitals and the implementation of other development projects.
* the ministry take the necessary measures to increase the number of student enrollment from among Sarawakians into medical degree programmes in public universities. Sarawakians would be given greater opportunity to enter foundation studies programmes in UNIMAS.
* relevant areas that can be delegated be identified for delegating the power of the Director General under Section 49 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to the state officers/departments.
* development of housing projects in Sarawak be re-implemented through a Joint Committee Meeting to ensure that state agencies were fully involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring aspects of these projects in Sarawak.
* the development of sports in Sarawak be jointly managed with the state government. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also in the process of enhancing the Sports Development Act 1997 which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
* the state government carry out all functions under the Department of Social Welfare. All posts will be transferred to the State Civil Service. The federal government will contribute 50 per cent of the cost incurred as decided by the National Finance Council.
Adenan said these provisions of administrative empowerment were agreed upon in the first stage of the devolution of power negotiations between the Sarawak and federal governments, while the second would touch on the state's rights (encroachment by the federal on state power), and the third would be on the state oil and gas royalty request.
Adenan said it was agreed that:
* State Legal Officers be authorised by the Public Prosecutor under the Criminal Procedure Code to conduct prosecution for offences under state ordinances from the stage a person is charged in the lower court until the appeal stage.
* there be delegation of power to state officers to represent the Public Service Commission and the Education Service Commission in the appointment of officers to the Federal Civil Service, including the teaching and medical services.
* posts in the Sarawak Immigration Department be enhanced to improve the enforcement functions in the state with an increase of 100 new posts, with full deployment by the end of February 2016.
* the ratio of Sarawak-born teachers serving in the state be increased to 90 per cent of the total number of teachers in Sarawak by 2018, and to ensure that this target is achieved, temporary teachers from the open market be considered from time to time and obtain their Diploma in Education while teaching.
* traffic warden powers for Sarawak Local Authorities be given to the Miri City Council, apart from the Kuching North City Hall and Kuching South City Council.
* the state government be consulted before an application for a deep area fishing permit is forwarded to the Deep Sea Permit Evaluation Comittee for consideration.
* the state government be consulted in the drafting of federal legislation which has a bearing or impact on the Sarawak state government, where provided by law.
* the planning of federal projects in Sarawak give priority to the five-year Sarawak State Development Plan based on the approval budget. Implementation of the projects should be referred/negotiated between the ministry and the state government, such as determining the location of schools, hospitals and the implementation of other development projects.
* the ministry take the necessary measures to increase the number of student enrollment from among Sarawakians into medical degree programmes in public universities. Sarawakians would be given greater opportunity to enter foundation studies programmes in UNIMAS.
* relevant areas that can be delegated be identified for delegating the power of the Director General under Section 49 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to the state officers/departments.
* development of housing projects in Sarawak be re-implemented through a Joint Committee Meeting to ensure that state agencies were fully involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring aspects of these projects in Sarawak.
* the development of sports in Sarawak be jointly managed with the state government. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is also in the process of enhancing the Sports Development Act 1997 which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
* the state government carry out all functions under the Department of Social Welfare. All posts will be transferred to the State Civil Service. The federal government will contribute 50 per cent of the cost incurred as decided by the National Finance Council.
Adenan said these provisions of administrative empowerment were agreed upon in the first stage of the devolution of power negotiations between the Sarawak and federal governments, while the second would touch on the state's rights (encroachment by the federal on state power), and the third would be on the state oil and gas royalty request.
