PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Day was marked with leaders across the country pledging to work closely to resolve problems, with Putrajaya, Sabah and Sarawak closing in on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issues.
As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his hand of cooperation, leaders in Sabah and Sarawak said they believed outstanding issues can be overcome amicably in the spirit of Malaysia Madani.
Deputy Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin is hopeful that the issue of the mandatory allocation of 40% revenue grant to Sabah will be resolved amicably.
According to Chan, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has said that while the state welcomes the RM300mil increment of the special interim grant for next year, the government will continue to pursue the repayment of the 40% revenue owed to Sabah.
“They might say that the coffers are not enough now. So there are some other considerations. But again, the acceptance of this interim payment doesn’t mean that the demand for the 40% stops here.
“But one step at a time. I believe with the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Sabah Chief Minister and the Sarawak Premier, there will eventually be an amicable solution,” Chan said.
Meanwhile, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the Federal Government must divulge the total revenue it gained from Sabah, otherwise the RM600mil interim special grant payment for 2025 would just be seen as a political sweetener.
He said the actual value of the tax received from Sabah would enable a more transparent and accurate calculation of the Constitutional requirement for the 40% revenue grant to the state.
“This is because the interim special grant of RM600mil must be based on the value of the tax collection that has been identified, where there is an opinion that Sabah’s tax collection has now reached a value greater than expectations.
“Without knowing the actual value of the tax collection from Sabah, the interim special grant of RM600mil can only be described as a political sweetener from the Federal Government to the people of Sabah,” he said in his Malaysia Day message.
He added that the interim grant was not a solution and felt that it was disrespectful to Sabah’s position as a partner in the Federation.
“The existence of Sabah within Malaysia should be respected and treated as an equal partner in all aspects, including in matters of development procurement,” said Kiandee, who is also Sabah Bersatu chairman.
