Unfair allocations gave rise to Sabah secession talk, says Kitingan

 

Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, said the federal government should reimburse Sabah for tax revenue raised in the state. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan has called for at least 25% of the national development budget to be allocated to Sabah and Sarawak. He said past budget allocations were unjust, and discontentment among Sabahans had sparked talk of secession.

Kitingan, who is also deputy chief minister of Sabah, said the 2004 budget allocated only 13.76% of development funds to Sabah and Sarawak, with the remaining 86.24% for Peninsular Malaysia.

The 2024 budget, amounting to a total of RM393 billion, provides RM91 billion for development, with RM6.6 billion for Sabah and RM5.8 billion for Sarawak.

Speaking during the debate on the supply bill in the Dewan Rakyat, Kitingan said the constant neglect of East Malaysian states by the federal government had triggered anger among Sabahans and increased their determination to “run away” from Malaysia.

He called for a just allocation of funds to narrow the development gap between East Malaysia and Peninsular states. The government should also uphold the revenue-sharing arrangement stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“I would suggest that the reimbursement be done by collecting at source, for every three months, or create a mechanism based on the ratio stipulated in the constitution,” he added. - FMT