KOTA KINABALU: There is no need for discussions or measures to formulate a new formula to replace claims to the 40 per cent net revenue derived by the federal government from Sabah, the state assembly sitting was told today.
State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pix) said this was because the Sabah government would not deviate from claiming the net revenue, which is part of the Federal Constitution.
He said the state government extended its highest appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government for increasing and providing an interim special payment of RM300 million on Tuesday.
“We trust that the ruling Unity Government, in the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, will respect and fulfill Sabah’s demands. I hope all members of the state assembly will support the state government’s rights to claim the 40 per cent.
“I don’t care what others say because what is important is what is stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” he said when winding the debate on Sabah’s Budget 2024.
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) then stood up to express support for the claim and stated that the effort should be supported by all parties regardless of background or political beliefs.
“As the Opposition Leader (Sabah State Assembly), I support this effort (40 per cent claim), but I want all members of this assembly to make a resolution or stance that the demand must be consistent and cannot be delayed,” he said.
Another Opposition member, Assaffal P Alian (Warisan-Tungku) also stood up to express support and stressed the need for a conclusive solution as the matter has been deferred for over 50 years.
Meanwhile, Masidi said the percentage of federal development allocations spent by Sabah was still low as of October, totaling RM3.513 billion or 66.7 per cent, compared to the revised allocation of RM5.262 billion,
Masidi, however, also expressed confidence it will increase next month.
“For projects implemented by state government departments or agencies, spending consistently reaches 80 per cent or more each year. This shows that the performance of state government departments or agencies is quite good in implementing federal development projects,” he said.
The assembly later passed the state budget with a majority voice. -Bernama
