KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak has proposed for Putrajaya to consider rotating certain ministerial posts to include the state's representatives so that its interests are well protected.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said this would be most ideal as Sarawak contributed significantly to the nation's economic growth and the federal government, through collection of taxes and other revenues, especially from oil and gas.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Tiong said it was crucial for Sarawak to sit in ministries that would be critical in growing the state, including the Home, International Trade and Industry, Education and Health ministries, adding that only then would the country's administration understand the state's needs well.
He said Sarawak would even be able to become a strong mover in buoying Malaysia's growth as well as become the hub for the country's food security with its fertile and vast land, if more attention from the federal government was given to the state.
He cited Sibu and Sarikei as among areas in Sarawak with vast potential to become the country's top food producers.
He said PDP, as part of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which now is part of the federal government, wants more focus to be given to the development of the Sarawak rural areas, especially in the pressing issues of poor irrigation, infrastructure development and connectivity.
Many farmers in Sarawak, he said, had repeatedly experienced their crops being destroyed by overflowing rivers.
As an immediate measure, he asked that the federal government come in to help deepen rivers to end the problem,
"The economic growth of the state needs to be supported by good infrastructure.
"These are long-unresolved issues that should not be delayed anymore as Sarawakians are not too happy about being backward in development," he said.