SARAWAK has the legal right to demand autonomy over health matters in the state under the Federal Constitution, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said today.

She told the state assembly the right was set out in article 80(4).

“Article 80(4) of the Federal Constitution states that ‘federal law may provide that the executive authority of a state shall extend to the administration of any specified provisions of federal law and may for that purpose confer powers and impose duties on any authority of the state’,” she said in reply to a question from See Chee How (Batu Lintang-Ind).

“Hence, the executive authority requested by the Sarawak government may be conferred through the provision to enable the Sarawak government to carry out federal functions over health matters.”

See had asked if the Federal Constitution allows executive authority or empowerment in the devolution of medicine and health matters to Sarawak.

To See’s question of other solutions if the federal government does not agree to allow Sarawak autonomy over the matters, Hasidah said the state could set up an alternative administrative arrangements for hospitals and clinics under article 80(5.

She said the matter would be brought to the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusuf for further deliberation.

“We hope this issue can be resolved so that the Sarawak government can enhance its health services  for the benefit of the people. “

Hasidah earlier told the assembly that the state government has already made recommendations to the Health Ministry to achieve this.

She said the recommendations were made to reduce healthcare gaps in the state in terms of coverage, accessibility, quality, and safety.

“It is the Sarawak government’s hope that its references and recommendations will be taken into consideration by the federal government in order to enhance and upgrade the health services in the state.” – May 19, 2023.