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Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak (file pic). Photo: Salleh Said Keruak/FacebookAdvertisement
By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 14: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak has weighed in on the proposal put forth by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg under which a percentage of the State’s tax revenue would be channelled back as the special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“The proposal by Abang Johari to calculate special grants based on a percentage of State revenue reflects a flexible and performance-based approach.
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“For Sarawak, this can be discussed and negotiated as a policy formula between the State and the federal governments,” he said in a Facebook post today.
At the same time, he said Sabah differs on the issue, as it is not about introducing a new formula, but about the rights agreed upon when Malaysia was formed.
He said Sabah’s financial rights must be implemented according to the Federal Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as court decisions on the matter have already been made, possibly alluding to the decision by the Kota Kinabalu High Court last October on Sabah’s claim to a 40 per cent share of the net federal revenue derived from the State.
“In summary, for Sarawak, this may be seen as negotiating a formula. For Sabah, it is about carrying out a constitutional right,” he said.
On Feb 13, Abang Johari proposed that the special grant allocated to the State under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution be determined based on a percentage of revenue generated by the State.
He said that the proposal was submitted in line with constitutional provisions requiring the special grant to be reviewed periodically, noting that such revisions had not been carried out for many years.
“If our revenue is higher, the amount returned should be higher. If it is lower, then the amount should be lower. That is our proposal,” said the Premier. — DayakDaily
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