Kuching: The Sarawak Government should not use federal jurisdiction over foreign affairs as an excuse for failing to take more proactive action on the transboundary haze affecting Sarawakians, said DAPSY Stampin Chief Lim Kai Bin.
Responding to Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah’s claim that engagement with Indonesia must be handled through the Federal Government, Lim said the explanation was no longer acceptable when the health and wellbeing of Sarawakians were at stake.
“The haze does not recognise federal or state jurisdiction. The haze is coming from Indonesia, but it is Sarawakians who are breathing the polluted air.
“What matters now is not whether this falls under federal or state jurisdiction, but who is prepared to act and solve the problem,” he said in a statement.
Lim said that while formal diplomatic negotiations with Indonesia rightly fall under federal jurisdiction, this should not stop the Sarawak Government from directly communicating with neighbouring Indonesian provincial authorities (Kalimantan) on practical matters such as hotspot information, haze conditions, and cross-border coordination.
“If the Sarawak Premier can travel around the world and engage foreign leaders, governments and international organisations, why can’t the Sarawak Government proactively communicate with authorities in neighbouring Kalimantan over a problem directly affecting our people?” he asked.
He also called on GPS, which has significant representation in the Federal Cabinet, including a Deputy Prime Minister, to use its influence to urge Putrajaya to engage with Jakarta urgently.
“These two approaches can happen simultaneously. It is not an either-or situation,” he said.
Lim said the issue also raised questions about how the Sarawak Government has consistently championed greater autonomy and argued that Sarawak should not have to depend on the Federal Government for everything.
“You cannot demand greater autonomy when seeking power, but invoke federal jurisdiction when responsibility needs to be taken. Therefore, when Sarawakians are actually suffering from the haze, the State Government should demonstrate the same spirit of autonomy and initiative.
“Sarawakians want action, not excuses. If the Sarawak Government is unwilling even to engage neighbouring Kalimantan proactively, then where is the autonomy it so often speaks about?” he asked.
