MIRI, Oct 21 — Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem today dismissed what he said is a negative perception that the state’s demand for greater autonomy from the federal government is a sign that Sarawak wants to secede from Malaysia.  

He said Sarawak would remain loyal to Malaysia and would not entertain secession demands from anyone. 

“One of the reasons we want more automony is because we are now able to understand and manage our state better in certain areas,” he said when launching the RM26-million Sungai Sibuti Bridge project in Bekenu here. 

Adenan said the state would seek from the federal government an additional RM500 million to upgrade the infrastructure for the over 5,000 villages in the state.

He said the upgrading would also cover roads, electricity and clean water supply. — Bernama