KUALA LUMPUR – Talks on Sabah and Sarawak’s entitlements to oil royalty and cash payments for petroleum, oil, and minerals have been put on hold, said Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
He said this was to make way for the commercial solution pertaining to talks between national oil company Petronas and the governments of Sabah and Sarawak.
Talks relating to the Territorial Sea Act 2012 and Continental Shelf Act 1966 have also been delayed.
Ongkili said this in response to queries from Kota Belud Warisan MP Munirah Majilis, Kota Kinabalu DAP MP Chan Foong Hin and Keningau Star MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan on the special grant under Article 112D of the federal constitution.
He noted that talks on state rights will resume under the Joint Consultative Committee soon.
“Currently, the current rate for the special grant under the Article 112D of the federal constitution is based on the amount stated under the Special Grant Order (First Reading) in 1969, where the last amount was RM26.7 million for Sabah and RM16 million for Sarawak,” Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP, explained.
Meanwhile, Ongkili warned MPs to mind their words when making comments implying Putrajaya is colonising the East Malaysian states.
“We need to be careful of this, especially under the current government which upholds the Keluarga Malaysia slogan.
"Instead of finger-pointing, we should work together and ensure that our voices are heard and demands met,” said Ongkili in his winding-up speech on Budget 2022 in Parliament today.
Ongkili said this in reference to Sepanggar-Warisan MP Datuk Azis Jamman saying Sabahans should not be blamed for seceding from Malaysia if they feel Putrajaya’s “colonialism” is growing stronger.
Azis purportedly said this during his budget debate speech on November 9.
“I know you have good intentions, but it is dangerous to say that Putrajaya menjajah (colonises) us. However, if you believe it is true (being colonised), provide us with proof.
“File your charges if there are non-compliances in the agreement with the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement (MKMA63) that is being chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as eight other leaders as members,” he said.
Ongkili said the special council was set up to study and check non-compliances, many of which “have been addressed and settled”.
He said the MP should have provided evidence when raising such issues, adding that such matters can be construed as an act to create confusion and stir up sentiments among the people.
“The MKMA63 is the best platform to raise this issue. Lodge a complaint with the respective chief ministers, so it can be tabled during the council’s meeting for deliberation. Do it professionally because you are a MP,” he said.
He said the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division was also established to listen to public grouses. – The Vibes, November 15, 2021
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