Sarawak deputy minister for law, MA63 and state-federal relations Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the meeting would take place in Sabah, the Dayak Daily reported.

She said autonomy in these two sectors was necessary as Sarawak knew better about its needs and how health and education in the Bornean state should be developed.

“These issues (of greater health and education autonomy) must be resolved to grant Sarawak full authority…enabling us to take decisive action,” she was quoted as saying.

Putrajaya currently handles all matters related to education and health, including the recruitment of teachers and health workers.

In April, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said talks were ongoing with the federal government on giving autonomy to Sarawak on matters of health and education.

Sarawak public health, housing and local government minister Dr Sim Kui Hian had also met federal health officials in January to discuss the state’s request for autonomy over health matters.