ABANG Johari Openg’s claim that “only Sarawakians can determine the destiny of Sarawak” has been dismissed by state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen as “mere hot air”.

The Sarawak chief minister, who made the statement at the Federation of Chinese Associations in Kuching on Wednesday night, had also said national-based parties such as DAP and “even Umno” cannot determine what Sarawakians want or fight for “what is rightfully ours”.

He was referring to Sarawak’s hot button issues including the autonomy of the state, oil and gas rights, and the returns of rights lost or eroded under the Malaysia Agreement.

“Other people cannot (fight for what we want because) its not their home,” Abang Johari said.

Chong said the comment was meaningless because the federal government continues to have full control of the three major ministries that Sarawak had said it wants full autonomy over – taxation, education and healthcare.

“If we were to determine our own destiny, we must have full control over the rights to taxation, education and healthcare.

“At the moment, these ministries and powers are still firmly in the hand of the federal Umno government,” said Chong who is also Bandar Kuching MP.

Chong said to the opposition’s disappointment, the state government does not even dare to demand for the full devolution of power of these three areas from its “Umno masters” in the federal government.

The result, he said, is that the state would still have to beg for funding to implement most major projects.

Pointing to the state’s complicity with the federal government, Chong said the goods and services tax (GST) which “affects the everyday lives of all Sarawakians” is a good example as it was implemented with the “blind support of Sarawak BN”.

“The Sarawak BN sided with the federal Umno government to force the GST onto all Sarawakians.”

Chong also said Prime Minister Najib Razak, Putrajaya and the state government were “still beating around the bush about the negotiation on the devolution of power”.

“(Abang Johari) cannot even tell us specifically what ministry and power the devolution of which the state is negotiating for.

“Even the 20% oil and gas royalties which the Sarawak DUN (state legislative assembly) has unanimously approved three years ago has now been shelved and forgotten by both state and federal BN governments.

“It is abundantly clear that the federal government will never devolve power on taxation, education and healthcare to Sarawak and the Sarawak BN does not dare to make demands for fear of antagonising their Umno masters,” Chong said.

Chong said on the contrary, “there is no need for further negotiation” on Pakatan Harapan’s promises of 20% oil and gas royalties; 50% of all taxes collected in Sarawak to go to the state government; full power in education, including all matters on the school syllabus, building of schools, employment of teachers and setting up of English medium schools.

Pakatan also promises full power in healthcare, including all matters on development of hospitals and clinics, employment of doctors and nurses and procurement of medicines and medical equipment. – February 23, 2018.