KUCHING: The state-level Technical Committee formed to assist the negotiation for devolution of powers to Sarawak and Sabah has conducted four meetings as of Dec last year.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Federal-level Steering Committee formed for the same purpose is expected to look into the reports by the Technical Committee soon.

“The Technical Committee on the devolution of authority had sat for the third and last time on Dec 1.

“The Steering Committee is waiting for the secretariat, the Attorney General of Chambers, to get a suitable date for the meeting. They will then sit and elaborate on the Technical Committee’s report,” said Nancy, who is the Steering Committee co-chairman, in a statement today.

The other co-chairman is Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

Members of the Technical Committee, meanwhile, included Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, his counterpart from Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, and the attorney-generals in both state.

Nancy, who is also Batang Sadong MP, said she hoped that the meeting by the Steering Committee would be conducted by next month.

“I am echoing the same tone as the newly appointed Sarawak Chief Minister in pursuing the matter.

Nancy said among the matters raised by the Technical Committees included finance, oil and exploration, mining and gas, legislations, land and revenue from land, federal and state works, education and labour, and state public service.

“Some of the said issues are very technical.

Therefore, it takes time for the Technical Committee members to agree on it,” she said.-nst