Sabahans May Not Be Swayed By 40pct Revenue Issue

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YOURSAY| “Tough for Sabahans to change their votes.”
Anwar makes high-stakes bid to boost PKR's fortunes in Sabah
Anwar: Harapan won’t nominate CM, will safeguard Sabah
Milshah: The only issue the opposition has to capitalise on is the state’s entitlement to 40 percent of the federal revenue it collects.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (Harapan-BN-GRS) can offer much more. The combined votes for Harapan-BN-GRS from the previous election are about 80 percent.
I think it will take more than the issue of 40 percent revenue to swing the voters. It is very difficult for voters in Sabah and Sarawak to change their votes, even at the height of the 1MDB scandal, which involved then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
I still think the Harapan coalition will win in the Nov 29 state election. With Anwar turun padang (go to the ground), the sentiments surrounding him support this prediction. PKR strategists must have done their own calculations for Anwar to go to Sabah.
I think this is the beauty of democracy, people can talk, talk, and talk about “Sabah for Sabahans”, they can claim that there will be a total wipeout of Malaya parties like Harapan and BN, but if Sabahans still want Malaya parties, nobody can force them. It is their right.
I think everyone has presented their argument regarding the 40 percent federal revenue. It is being recycled too many times. Many commentators who are Harapan supporters have said “No” to Malaya parties like Harapan and BN, while even predicting a total wipeout in the election. They cry the slogan “Sabah for Sabahans”.
Being the usual contrarian that I am, I think the Harapan coalition will still win. The rest, I think, is up to the Sabahan voters. What they decide is final. In that sense, the election is timely, as a form of referendum. Well, let’s see if that is true when the voting results come in.
Spinnot: Milshah, you said the Harapan coalition will win in the coming state election, and that the only issue the opposition can capitalise on is the 40 percent federal revenue for the state. You also said that the Harapan coalition (including BN and GRS) can offer much more?
Putting BN and GRS in the same team shows you are ignoring the facts on the ground in Sabah. There is currently a Harapan-GRS electoral alliance and a Harapan-BN electoral alliance, but no “Harapan+BN+GRS” alliance as you mentioned.
GRS knows it has zero chance of securing a majority on its own; hence, it desperately forged an electoral alliance with Harapan, in the hope that the coalition could deliver the urban and suburban seats to the coalition. But that’s only wishful thinking.
The 40 percent revenue entitlement is the most negative issue for the Malayan parties (whether it is Harapan, BN, or PN) and their local allies.
However, for the ruling GRS coalition, there are a host of other long-standing issues which Sabahans are very unhappy with, such as electricity, water, roads, and public transport, among others.
Promises are like pie crusts; they are made to be broken!
Even Sabah Harapan’s 2018 election manifesto included a promise to return federal revenue collected from Sabah back to the state, but even now, it seems to be a problem, despite it being a constitutional right of Sabahans.
Undecided: Referring to the 40 percent federal revenue for the state, former Sabah Law Society (SLS) president Roger Chin explained that while it is accurate that the government has not challenged the constitutional formula for the 40 percent entitlement for Sabah, the government’s appeal of the court judgment is far broader than what was publicly represented.
He pointed out that it seeks to overturn the finding that no lawful review of the 40 percent share took place after 1973.
Does the SLS lack confidence in our judiciary? I think this appeal is reasonable as it will reveal to all Malaysians the procedures and details of the matter, on whether proper reviews have been done and whether they are valid or not.
We cannot depend on one High Court judge to determine it, as this issue is so important to the unity of the country.
BlueWhale5176: I cry for Sabah and her people - a land vastly endowed with natural resources and beautiful people - but still lagging way behind their Sarawakian brothers. Why the disparity in progress when both states have had the same federal government?
“Sabah for Sabahans” is not a new slogan, but it rings hollow, looking at how things are today. Sabah and her people deserve a new chance for better days ahead. Choose your next state leaders wisely, Sabahans.
GreenLlama0921: This election is not just a vote; it is a verdict. Sabahans, the power is in your hands. Reject the West Malaysian parties that have neglected and belittled your needs. Choose local leaders who are incorruptible, courageous, and loyal only to Sabah. Your future will not be handed to you. We must take it back at the ballot box. - Mkini

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