Cut red tape, give Sabah more ‘economic autonomy’, says ex-CM

 

Sabah stands to gain as Indonesia plans to shift its capital from overcrowded Jakarta to East Kalimantan, which is close to the state. (AP pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah ought to be given the autonomy to handle its own international trade relations, especially with Indonesia, which is in the process of moving its capital to East Kalimantan, says former chief minister Salleh Said Keruak.

Backing the recent call by deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin for Putrajaya to empower the Sabah government, he believed this was the right time to hand over “economic autonomy” to Sabah.

“Cut the bureaucracy and allow the Sabah government to make independent decisions on its economic future.

“Let us waste no time in delegating the relevant powers to Sabah, allowing them to make their own financial and investment decisions,” the Usukan assemblyman said in a Facebook post today.

Earlier this week, Bung told the Dewan Rakyat that the time had come for this move as the Indonesian capital is being moved to East Kalimantan, which is adjacent to Sabah.

While debating the King’s speech, Bung said Indonesia was already working on major highways in Kalimantan in its preparation for the major shift.

Salleh Said Keruak.

The Sabah Umno chief said Putrajaya appeared to be ignoring this important step taken by Indonesia, instead of formulating plans to leverage on the possible economic benefits for Sabah and Sarawak.

“If the federal government thinks this comes down to the relationship between Sabah and Indonesia, then empower us to negotiate.

“So far, there has been no movement from Putrajaya on the matter,” Bung said.

Economists have expressed support for Bung’s call, saying Sabah should move quickly in order to make up for lost time if it wanted to capitalise on the potential boom expected from Indonesia’s shifting of its capital.

Sabah UiTM senior lecturer Firdausi Suffian urged the state to continue to apply the necessary pressure on Putrajaya on this matter through concerted efforts from the state Cabinet and assemblymen.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer James Alin also said the state would lose out if it did not open up its borders to Kalimantan to reap the benefits from its proximity to the new capital city.

Indonesia was reported to have approved plans for the new capital to be located near the cities of Samarinda and Balikpapan. It will ease congestion and pollution in its present capital of Jakarta in Java. - FMT