No need for new formula to replace Sabah’s 40% claim, says Masidi

 

Sabah finance minister Masidi Manjun says the percentage of federal development allocations spent by the state was still low as of October, totalling RM3.513 billion or 66.7% of the amount set aside. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: There is no need for any new formula to replace Sabah’s claim to 40% of the federal government’s net revenue, the state assembly sitting was told today.

State finance minister Masidi Manjun said this was because the Sabah government would not deviate from claiming its cut of the net revenue, which is part of the Federal Constitution.

He said the state government extended its highest appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government for increasing and providing an interim special payment of RM300 million on Tuesday.

“We trust that the ruling unity government, in the spirit of Malaysia Madani, will respect and fulfil Sabah’s demands. I hope all members of the state assembly will support the state government’s right to claim the 40%.

“I don’t care what others say, because what is important is what is stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” he said when winding up the debate on Sabah’s 2024 budget.

Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) then stood to express support for the claim, saying the effort should be backed by all parties, regardless of background or political beliefs.

“As the opposition leader (in Sabah), I support the effort, but I want all members of this assembly to make a resolution or stand that the demand must be consistent and cannot be delayed,” he said.

Fellow opposition member Assafal P Alian (Warisan-Tungku) also stood to express support, and stressed the need for a conclusive solution as the matter had been deferred for over 50 years.

Meanwhile, Masidi said the percentage of federal development allocations spent by Sabah was still low as of October, totalling RM3.513 billion or 66.7% of the revised allocation of RM5.262 billion.

Masidi however also expressed confidence that it would increase next month.

“For projects implemented by state government departments or agencies, spending has consistently reached 80% or more each year. This shows that state government departments or agencies have been quite good at implementing federal development projects,” he said.

The assembly later passed the state budget with a majority voice vote. - FMT