Grs Already Pursuing Sabah S 40 Revenue Claim Says Info Chief

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Joniston Bangkuai says Hajiji Noor’s administration has secured an increase of Sabah’s special grant to RM600 million while awaiting its 40% revenue claim.
GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai says his coalition, led by chief minister Hajiji Noor, is better placed to understand Sabah’s priorities.PETALING JAYA: Hajiji Noor’s administration is actively pursuing Sabah’s constitutional claim to 40% of federal revenue collected from the state, says Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) information chief Joniston Bangkuai
Joniston described Perikatan Nasional’s recent pledge to include the 40% claim in its manifesto for the upcoming state election as “mere political rhetoric” aimed at winning voter support.
The Kiulu assemblyman said GRS, as a coalition made up of local parties, has a better understanding of the state’s needs.
According to Joniston, the state government’s engagement with Putrajaya this year has already successfully secured a tenfold increase of Sabah’s annual special grant, from RM53 million to RM600 million.
He clarified that the large grant is a temporary measure, and that the process of reclaiming the state’s 40% revenue entitlement is ongoing.
“PN’s promise is mainly rhetoric to gain support. (Muhyiddin) has served as prime minister and deputy prime minister.
“But only after losing power does he talk about the 40% issue and infrastructure problems. I am confident that the people of Sabah will not be easily fooled,” he told FMT.
Yesterday, Utusan Malaysia reported Muhyiddin as saying that the revenue claim would be one of PN’s key commitments in the upcoming state election.
The former prime minister also said that, if given the mandate to govern the state PN would, prioritise unresolved issues such as infrastructure, water and electricity.
The revenue sharing formula has been a contentious issue for decades.
Sabah politicians have been demanding that the federal government pay the state’s rights to 40% of the amount exceeding the net revenue earned in 1963, the baseline used in calculating the sum due under the special grant.
However, the formula was suspended in 1974, with the federal government paying increased special grants to Sabah and Sarawak.
In July, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the federal government would decide on Sabah’s proposal to reclaim its 40% net revenue entitlement at the next Malaysia Agreement 1963 meeting, scheduled for Sept 12. - FMT

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