KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has stated that there is no need to create a new formula to resolve Sabah’s 40% special revenue rights grant. The Deputy Chief Minister believes that a solution can be reached within the next year using the existing mechanism provided by the Federal constitution.
Dr Jeffrey Kitingan referred to Article 112D, 112C, and 112C(6) of the Federal Constitution, along with Para 24 of the IGC Report, as the explicit mechanism for resolving the issue. He also mentioned that the information required for the calculations could be provided by the Finance Ministry and the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN).
Dr Jeffrey Kitingan suggested that Sarawak should adopt the same formula as Sabah to speed up the settlement process and prevent further delays.
The decision to settle the grant was made by the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Dr Jeffrey Kitingan stressed the importance of resolving the issue to ensure that Sabah receives its rightful revenue rights entitlement.
While acknowledging the interim RM300mil special grant allocation from the federal government, Dr Jeffrey Kitingan made it clear that this should only be considered a temporary solution. He stated that the ultimate goal is the actualization of the 40% net revenue issue. Accepting the RM300mil grant should not be interpreted as Sabah relinquishing its rights to the 40% net revenue.
Dr Jeffrey Kitingan emphasized that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of Sabah. He addressed allegations that the GRS government had caused Sabah to lose its rights, calling them baseless and a continuous assault on the administration.
He urged all parties, especially the federal government, to cooperate in resolving the matter within the stipulated time frame. Dr Jeffrey Kitingan believes that securing Sabah’s rightful share of revenue is in the best interest of the state’s citizens.
Datuk James Ligunjang, a Sabah rights campaigner, has also called for the state to receive its 40% entitlement. Ligunjang pointed out that the issue has remained unresolved for the past 60 years since Sabah joined the formation of Malaysia in 1963. He highlighted the consequences of this unfulfilled promise, such as inadequate infrastructure development, underfunded education and healthcare systems, and a lack of economic opportunities for the people of Sabah.
Ligunjang believes that the lack of equitable resource allocation has prevented Sabah from realizing its full potential and has resulted in a disparity between Sabah and other more developed states within Malaysia.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
