KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said a resolution to the longstanding 40% revenue entitlement for Sabah can be expected in 12 months.
“The decision was made by the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, which has agreed to adopt this resolution,” he said in a statement here today.
Jeffrey said resolving this matter, which has been an issue for 58 years, is crucial in ensuring Sabah receives its rightful revenue rights entitlement.
Jeffrey, who is representing Sabah in the MA63 Committee, said the federal government Is committed to fulfilling the outstanding constitutional rights.
“After waiting for over half a century, the people of Sabah deserve this moment, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the wait does not prolong any further,” he stated.
Jeffrey acknowledged the interim special grant allocation of RM300 million from Putrajaya but clarified that it should not be misconstrued as Sabah relinquishing its rights to the 40% net revenue.
“While the interim allocation is substantial, it represents only a portion of what is rightfully due to Sabah.
“Our ultimate goal is the realisation of the 40% net revenue issue,” he said.
The Keningau MP also stressed that there is no need to devise a new formula for the special revenue rights grant.
He said that the federal constitution already provides a clear mechanism for this.
“The required information or data for these calculations can and should be provided by federal agencies such as the Finance Ministry and the Inland Revenue Board.
“The framework is in place; what we need now is the relevant data,” he said.
Additionally, he suggested that Sarawak should adopt the same formula as Sabah, rather than create a separate one, so as to have consistency and expedite the settlement process.
Jeffrey called for the 12-month timeframe to be adhered to and for critics to stop politicising the matter. – The Vibes, July 24, 2023
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