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KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili is expecting more outstanding issues in Sabah and Sarawak to be settled by the federal government this year.
He said for Sabah, matters pertaining to the special grant will be discussed at the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) on Monday, March 14, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“The special grants for Sabah have been settled following two meetings to discuss the issue between the federal Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Sabah Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun on January 6 and February 14,” said Ongkili in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem (Serian).
As for Sarawak, Ongkili said discussions on the review of special grants for the state between the state government and the Finance Ministry will commence soon, and that the move is part of the efforts to restore and honour the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He added for Sarawak, the handing over of authority in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas in the state was inked on June 1, last year, after it was agreed during the MKMA63, headed by then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Also empowering the Sarawak and Sabah government is the issuance of deep-sea fishing licenses on October 18 during the MKMA63 meeting chaired by Ismail Sabri, in which details are expected to be resolved latest by next month.
He also said that both Sarawak and Sabah will benefit from the amendment to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the federal constitution, which was unanimously passed by the Dewan Rakyat on December 14 last year.
“The crucial and historic resolution of the constitutional amendments to Article 1(2) and 160(2) pertains to the equal status of Sabah and Sarawak, to redefine the ‘federation’, and institutionalise September 16 as Malaysia Day,” said Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP.
He added that the federal government, through the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), will continue to discuss pressing issues and ensure the rights and demands of Sabahans and Sarawakians are met.
“There are a series of meetings and discussions throughout the year, and we believe more issues will be settled soon, and developments will be updated from time to time,” he said. – The Vibes, March 10, 2022