CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor did not mislead Sabahans on the 40 per cent Federal special grant, said Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Information Chief Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
“The Chief Minister has explained that the State Government led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will continue to fight for the rights of Sabah as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which includes the 40 per cent claim,” he said in a statement on July 13.
“Apparently, Tungku Assemblyman Assafal Alian tried to mislead by giving false hope to cover up his Parti Warisan’s failure when they were in power.”
Assafal claimed Hajiji hastily agreed to accept a “peanut” amount of special grant for another five years compared to the grant Sabah would be entitled to receive using the 40 per cent shared growth revenue.
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Nizam said the Chief Minister had repeatedly reiterated GRS’ stance to continue the 40 per cent claim in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) despite receiving a special grant payment of RM125.6 million from the Federal Government.
The proceeds from the payment were channelled to construct the Rumah Mesra SMJ in all 73 State constituencies.
“Is Assafal saying Sabah should reject the RM125 million when it has benefited the people compared to the Warisan government, which only agreed to accept RM53.4 million from the Federal Government?
“This is evident in (Warisan President) Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal’s 2020 Budget speech on Nov 15, 2019, as Chief Minister, in which he agreed to receive RM53.4 million.
“If Warisan is still in power, Sabah may only receive RM80.1 million instead of RM125.6 million. Assafal should clarify this rather than deceive people,” he said, adding it was wrong for Assafal to twist the facts by politicising an issue that his party, Warisan, failed to address.
“Hajiji, as the Chief Minister, has committed to continue to find solutions,” he said.
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