Sabah’s five-decades-old claim to be paid soon – Ongkili

 

A five-decade fight on claims by the Sabah government is finally over, thanks to a "cordial and sensible" discussion between the state and federal finance ministries recently, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Maximus Ongkili.

He said the two ministries briefed their respective Cabinets yesterday on the outcome of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting on the review of annual grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution between the federal and state finance ministries.

It was understood that both sides had endorsed all the resolutions, said Ongkili, who is also the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament, in a statement In Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Congratulating both sides for the cordial and sensible exchange despite their occasional non-compromising stances, Ongkili said he was especially proud of the Sabah government for its determination and hard work in getting what it deserved.

“The state will receive an almost five times increase in annual grants, which will be more than twice the amount promised by the then Pakatan Harapan government to the Warisan-led government.

“It proves the capability and capacity of the GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) state government to defend Sabah's rights and preserve good federal-state relations to ensure economic prosperity for Sabahans,” he said.

Ongkili, who was also at the meeting on Monday in Kota Kinabalu on behalf of the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63), disclosed that the new grant formula will be signed and officiated jointly by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor at the next MKMA63 meeting, which is scheduled for early next month.

The JCC meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz on the federal government side, while Sabah Finance Minister II Masidi Manjun led the Sabah team, comprising State Secretary Safar Untong, Sabah Attorney-General Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, legal advisors, and senior finance officers.

-Bernama