Premier expects Putrajaya to agree to Sarawak rep on IRB soon

 

Sarawak was on the verge of striking a deal to increase federal funding for the territory, said Premier Abang Johari Openg.

The first step, said Abang Johari (above), was to install the Sarawak government's nominee on the Inland Revenue Board whose task was to determine the state’s tax revenue.

"So, if we know the amount, then we want a certain formula or percentage of the tax revenue collected from Sarawak to be given back to Sarawak, based on a reasonable formula.

"I think the federal government is about to agree on this," he said in Kuching last night, according to Borneo Post.

Abang Johari said the state was also negotiating with the federal government for a review of the annual financial grant for Sarawak as determined under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

In view of this, the premier urged Sarawakians to ensure that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was given a strong mandate in the upcoming parliamentary elections to ensure the territory's long-term interest.

In July, both Sarawak and Sabah submitted candidates to sit on the IRB.

Both territories are arguing that they have a right to be represented on the IRB based on Article 24(1) of the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962 (IGC) - a precursor document leading to the formation of Malaysia a year later.

Sarawakian politicians have been also calling for a formula instead of a fixed-payment scheme under Article 112D.

As of August, Putrajaya has indicated that it has not decided whether or not to accept Sarawak's nominee to sit on the IRB. - Mkini