Devolution of powers: 'Let elected reps table motions'
Published on: Friday, September 25, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah PKR Deputy Chief Christina Liew proposed that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman allow elected representatives from both sides of the political divide to table their motions for devolution of powers in the coming State Legislative Assembly sitting in November.She said the set aim would be to identify the areas that need to be decentralised to allow greater autonomy on the part of the State Government."The elected representatives are the best persons to bring up the aspirations of the people to the State Government which will in turn relay these to the Federal Government. Sabah has been independent for more than half a century, yet, overall, development in Sabah is below satisfactory level. We want to rightfully claim our stakes now.
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"Two outstanding requests from the people that deserve consideration are abolition of the Cabotage policy and proposed issuance of Sabah IC to genuine Sabahans," she said in a statement, Thursday.Liew, who is Api Api Assemblywoman, was commenting on Musa's announcement on Wednesday that the State Cabinet will set up a committee to study areas of the Federal Government's administration that should be empowered to the State Government."This is also in line with the recent announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on devolution of powers to the State from Federal," he was quoted as saying after chairing the State Cabinet meeting.Liew stressed that the Federal Government should decentralise power from federal to state, particularly in the areas of education and health while continuing with funding.
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"Recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) qualification. While funds for the Flying Doctor and Ambulance Services should come from the Federal Government, these services should be managed by the State authorities."Building of public hospitals and clinics must be under the planning and implementation of Sabah while funds for eradication of poverty are to be under management of the relevant State authority," she said.
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As far as collection of fees for driving licence renewal is concerned, Liew felt that the proceeds should go to the State and not the Federal Road Transport Department (JPJ). "Similarly, low-cost housing and affordable home projects for Sabah are to be administered by the State authority concerned," she said while reminding the Federal Government about its promise to build railways linking the east and west coast of Sabah.Calling for abolition of the 6pc Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all domestic flights from any part of Sabah to any part of the peninsula and vice versa, Liew reiterated her call to reduce GST to 3pc. "At the same time, palm oil tax and cess on fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production to be collected by the State Government should not be payable to the Federal Government," she said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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