Kitingan hopes Anwar fulfils Sabah’s tax demands

 

Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan says the state is entitled to receive 10% of the petroleum products export tax receipts of about RM10 billion a year.

PETALING JAYA: Sabah’s deputy chief minister, Jeffrey Kitingan, hopes Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government will make a final decision about the state’s demand to return its financial rights under the constitution.

Kitingan said Sabah’s demand was one of the main matters for the federal government’s attention.

“I know this new prime minister very well and he also knows me, and knows about our demands. I hope that with the cooperation of the state and the federation, we will be able to see a good result regarding the demands of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia,” he said, Berita Harian reported.

Kitingan, deputy chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, said that among the financial rights demanded by Sabah was the 40% formula for tax revenue collected from the state, and 10% of the petroleum export tax.

He said Sabah currently receives RM120 million a year from export and excise taxes, but is entitled to receive 10% of the petroleum products export tax which is estimated to reach RM10 billion a year.

Kitingan had previously expressed support for Anwar as prime minister and for the unity government led by him.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), led by Kitingan is one of the component parties of GRS led by Sabah Bersatu leader Hajiji Noor. GRS is among the parties who have supported Anwar, whose Pakatan Harapan coalition won 82 seats in the general election, but not enough for a majority. - FMT