Kota Kinabalu: The State Government welcomes the four-fold increment in the Federal Government’s special grant for Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said it is a very good development for Sabah, while negotiations continue on the 40 per cent entitlement as agreed under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
“It shows the Federal Government is prepared to listen to us. This is a positive sign,” he said, adding that the four-fold increment from RM26.7 million to RM125.6 million beginning this year will really benefit Sabah.
“It will definitely help to push our Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya agenda,” he said in a statement, Thursday.
Earlier, Hajiji attended the meeting on MA63 with emphasis on the Special Grant chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob via video conferencing.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg was also in attendance.
Meanwhile, State Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the negotiations between Sabah and Federal on the 40pc revenue sharing formula has yet to be concluded because both parties have “agreed to disagree” based on their respective interpretation of the wording of the Constitutional provision.
Masidi, who is leading the Sabah delegation in the negotiations, said: “The biggest challenge was that we have different interpretations of the wording.
“We maintained on the 40 per cent, I mean as we understand it. It is in the constitution. The Federal felt they had their own interpretation.
“So we have agreed to disagree on that part and continue to talk on that part. In other words, there are things that we have agreed that can go on.
“But, at the same time, any agreement should not prejudice our rights to pursue the 40pc that we feel we are entitled to under the Constitution. That will go on,” he said when met after he represented the Chief Minister at the ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed Menara Desa at Bataras Supermarket in Kolombong, Thursday.
“Well, my expectation, I think we should respect the provisions as provided in the constitution.
“There may be some differences in the way of interpreting it but the core of the issue is that it is all provided for in the Constitution.
“And, of course, it also provides that if both sides do not come to an agreement, we will have to refer it to an assessor,” said Masidi.
He said from the beginning he told them (the Federal delegation) that they are not there (at the negotiation table) as a Sabah team or a Federal team.
“We are here as a Malaysian team. We are in the same team trying to solve a Malaysian problem, not just a Sabah problem.
“Because if we solve this problem, the whole country will be happy. But if we don’t solve this problem, Sabah will not be happy.
“And Sabah, being an integral part of Malaysia, should rightfully deserve its rightful place and its views under the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement,” he said.
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