Putrajaya owes Sabah 10 times more in development funds - Warisan MP

 

PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya has been accused of short-changing Sabah again by announcing only RM5.2 billion in federal development funds.

When debating the Budget 2022 speech today, Warisan's Kota Belud MP, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, said the amount should rightfully be RM54 billion based on her interpretation of the Federal Constitution.

Citing Part IV Schedule 10 of the Federal Constitution, Isnaraissah said Sabah must be paid two-fifths of the amount which the net revenue derived by the federation from Sabah.

She told the Dewan Rakyat that since Sabah's contribution to the national gross domestic product was 10.2 percent last year, therefore the state has contributed RM136 billion.

"Mr Speaker, based on my calculations, if Sabah is supposed to receive two-fifths of the revenue derived from Sabah, therefore Sabah should receive grants of RM54 billion for 2021," she said.

Isnaraissah said the amount currently pledged by the federal government hurts the feelings of those in Sabah and Sarawak in a way that does not reflect Putrajaya's "Keluarga Malaysia" slogan.

"Sabah and Sarawak should be treated fairly by respecting the Malaysia Agreement 1963 without delay. Enough is enough," she said.

Meanwhile, Isnaraissah also objected to the government's pledge to allocate RM50 million next year for technical and vocational education and training centres in Sarawak, Johor and Penang but not Sabah.

She argued that the targeted disciplines - oil and gas, industrial automation and mechatronics - was relevant to Sabah and questioned why the state was left out.

"Sabah is not receiving attention although we have an advantage in the oil and gas and palm oil industry. Sabah will soon be the biggest oil producer in the country, and it has the biggest gas reserves.

"Why is the government leaving out Sabah for such investments? Why do states in Peninsular Malaysia, such as Malacca and Johor, which do not have gas reserves, have robust petrochemical industries?

"Kota Belud has more fuel," she said. - Mkini