SABAH opposition party Warisan has urged the state government to establish a committee to compel Putrajaya to implement the state’s rights after seeing repeated delays in resolving the revenue entitlement issue.
Warisan treasurer-general Azhar Matussin said their lawmakers would support the tabling of a motion by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to create a Permanent Parliamentary Special Select Committee on the 40% revenue entitlement and other Malaysia Agreement matters at the state legislative assembly.
He said the committee should aim for transparency on state rights and avert further delays in implementing it.
The move would likely not sit well with Pakatan Harapan (PH), GRS’ partner in the state government. However, Warisan has 14 assemblymen against Sabah PH’s seven in Sabah's 73-seat assembly.
Warisan's suggestion followed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s comments on the 40% revenue entitlement and the supposed conclusion of talks at the inter-governmental committee level on July 18.
The party has criticised Anwar for conflating the state’s special entitlement with federal allocations and for taking three months to clarify that the RM16 billion allocated to Sabah was more than the state’s 40% revenue entitlement.
“As prime minister, he is obliged to provide his clarification immediately when his revelation causes much chagrin not only within Sabahans but also among other GRS leaders,” said Azhar.
He also suggested that Sabah manage its own resources, such as oil and gas, if the prime minister was confused about Sabah’s developmental needs and demands.
Azhar emphasised the need for Anwar to understand Sabah’s intricate political history to navigate the state’s political landscape effectively.
“There must be no attempt to Malayanise Sabah, i.e., to deviate from the original spirit and intention of MA63 or to treat financial provisions to the state in the same manner as other peninsula states,” said Azhar.
“In short, a thorough knowledge is required, and respect must be given to the Federal Responsibilities and Constitutional Entitlement, and it is unbecoming for any prime minister to complain over these matters.”
Azhar said that due to these issues, Sabah residents might believe now there would be no further action on the MTPMA63 until Sabah Day (August 31) and Malaysia Day (September 16).
Anwar, during his speech at the Agenda Himpunan Perdana Rakyat at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, spoke about the overall allocation to Sabah and the revenue collected by Putrajaya from Sabah.
He trotted out figures when lambasting government-aligned Sabah lawmakers for questioning the RM16 billion allocation to Sabah this year. – August 5, 2024.
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