KUALA LUMPUR – Some 60% of East Malaysians are calling for Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia as they are disappointed with the development funds allocated in Budget 2022.
Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (Star-Keningau) pointed out the disparity in the national plan, which allocated RM9.8 billion for Sabah and Sarawak while Peninsular Malaysia receives RM67.8 billion.
He said that it is important for the federal government to take into account the grouses of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“I hope the prime minister listens to the voices from Sabah and Sarawak, and saves Malaysia from breaking up,” Jeffrey said while debating Budget 2022 in Parliament today.
Jeffrey said the annual budget does not comply with Putrajaya’s Keluarga Malaysia concept, as Sabah and Sarawak are treated similarly to stepchildren.
He reminded the august House that when Malaysia was formed 58 years ago, Sabah and Sarawak joined the federation as equal partners and not as a colonised territory.
“Facts show that the federal government purposely made Sabah and Sarawak dependent on Putrajaya.
“What is the motive? So that Sabah and Sarawak will forever be ruled by the peninsula?” Jeffrey queried.
Given that revenues from Sabah are estimated to be around RM60 billion to RM100 billion, Jeffrey said that the federal government should pay the state RM20 billion to RM36 billion a year.
However, for 52 years Sabah was paid RM26.7 million, except in 2020 when the Warisan Plus-led state government agreed to receive RM53.4 million.
“I want to ask, where are the billions of ringgit owed to Sabah?
“Was it misused to develop the peninsula?” Jeffrey added.
Despite Sabah being the largest producer of crude oil in Malaysia, Jeffrey highlighted the fact that Sabah remains the poorest state in the country.
He urged the government to show their commitment by adding an allocation of RM2 billion for Sabah and Sarawak to rid its residents of any disappointment. – The Vibes, November 8, 2021
