Sematan Kuching
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the Malaysia Day celebration in Sematan this year gave hope of a brighter future for the rural people of the state.
He said that for the first time since Sept 16, 1963, the celebration was held in a small place like Sematan.The function was attended by about 10,000 visitors and participants from government and private sectors.
“We have given additional allocation and would give more for rural development in this state. Focus on rural development is not something new to Sarawak because all this while 70 per cent of the state budget allocation has been for development and much of it in the rural areas.
“This does not happen in the other states where 30 per cent of the budget is for development and 70 per cent for operating expenditure,” he said in a post today on his official Facebook account.
The Sarawak-level Malaysia Day celebration was held yesterday in Sematan, which is located in the Tanjung Datu state constituency, some 107km from Kuching.
Adenan, who is the state assemblyman for Tanjung Datu, said the stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway from Sematan to Telok Melano, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday, paved the way for travel by road from Sematan to Lawas after a wait of over 50 years.
“It is a stretch that will intensify the opening up of rural areas along the alignment from Sematan to Lawas.
“The highway is not just a link between one place and another, but will be a catalyst for development along the alignment,” he
said.
In the same post, Adenan said the Malaysia Agreement and Constitution gave autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah in several areas, such as immigration and forestry.
He said some of the powers were still vested with Sarawak, but some powers were also in the hands of the federal government.
“Some of these powers overlap, such as those pertaining to the JKR (Public Works Department), welfare, environment. For the overlapping powers, we want devolution of power from the federal to the state to facilitate and expedite decision-making.
“The people of Sarawak know better the needs of Sarawak and how to implement them,” he said.
Adenan stressed that the demands by Sarawak must not be misinterpreted as a move to secede from Malaysia.
“Malaysia has helped Sarawak in times of need and has continued to assist in matters such as education and security. We remain in Malaysia.
“Malaysia once, Malaysia now and Malaysia forever. Selamat Hari Malaysia!” he said.
By: Joseph Beron
