In a statement today, he acknowledged Sarawak’s achievements over the past year, especially the establishment of the state’s education ministry which he called “the most significant progress”.

This was despite 70% of Sarawak’s 1,454 schools being categorised as “dilapidated and in need of immediate attention”.

He added that Sarawak Education Minister Michael Manyin was focused on resolving the problem of dilapidated schools and improving English proficiency among schoolchildren.

This, together with the federal government’s promise to reimburse the cost of rebuilding such schools, was positive progress, he said.

However, the Batu Lintang assemblyman said Sarawak had also seen its share of setbacks, with negotiations on the devolution of power having stalled.

He added that the federal government had “taken the drastic step” to “usurp” Sabah and Sarawak’s rights over tourism through the imposition of the tourism tax.

This was the “first step” to “defile” East Malaysia’s autonomous powers over the tourism sector, he said.

Aside from this, the federal government had continued to ignore Sarawak’s reference on the need to revoke or amend the Territorial Sea Act 2012 to maintain the state’s territorial integrity, he said.

He also slammed the lack of progress on Sarawak’s assertion for 20% royalty and direct participation in upstream and downstream petroleum development projects following the death of former chief minister Adenan Satem.

“It is therefore incumbent upon the Sarawak administration to give an account of our progress and setbacks on Sarawak’s quests for autonomous powers, rights and privileges as promised and pledged to Sarawak at the formation of the federation,” See said.

He called on Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg to reveal the account at the Sarawak Day celebration this Saturday.

“Sarawak must show strong political will to accomplish the aspirations of all Sarawakians, taking concerted efforts to regain our autonomous powers, rights and privileges,” he said.