Other states shouldn’t feel slighted by Sabah’s 40pc revenue claim: Shafie
Published on: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
By: Agust Dean
Shafie said there might be some briefings that had been misinterpreted about the situation because the Federal List and Joint List in the Federal Constitution are different from the 40 per cent revenue.
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said other states should not feel slighted by Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of revenue obtained by the Federation from the State as it is a constitutional right unique to Sabah.
“We’re not overreaching, we’re simply asking what’s enshrined in the Constitution,” Shafie said at the Jelajah Presiden Warisan programme in Sepanggar, Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
He believed other states would understand Sabah’s position if they fully grasped the constitutional context.
“It’s not that we want more than other states, no. We don’t want to claim what isn’t our right, this is actually what’s enshrined in the Constitution.”
The former Chief Minister called for clarity regarding the recent RM16 billion allocation to Sabah and its relation to the 40 per cent revenue claim.
He said the State Government should explain to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim if there’s confusion about the 40 per cent revenue claim and the RM16 billion allocation.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Jeffrey (Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan) is there, he as Deputy Chief Minister should voice the matter because they know. In the Cabinet, I don’t know if it was raised or not. I don’t even know what the RM16 billion is for, but the 40 per cent revenue hasn’t been addressed yet, that’s different.
“I’m sure this matter needs to be clarified by the State Government. Don’t just listen but explain to the Prime Minister. If the situation isn’t in line, they should advise as best as possible and advise what’s enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Semporna Member of Parliament said there might be some briefings that had been misinterpreted about the situation because the Federal List and Joint List in the Federal Constitution are different from the 40 per cent revenue.
“The Federal List, which includes security, education and health, is under Federal responsibility, so the salary payment is different...like it or not, this is different. The 40 per cent claim is in the Constitution and the only state that can claim it is Sabah...Sarawak doesn’t have this.”
“In fact, if you read Article 112D of the Constitution, it clearly states that two-fifths of the revenue obtained from Sabah needs to be returned to Sabah. That’s the agreement in the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded that the issue of the RM16 billion allocation to Sabah should not be politicised.
Anwar said the Federal Government is open to discussions if Sabah needs additional allocations.
He said the RM16 billion allocation announced for Sabah at the Kaamatan Festival on May 31 is the overall allocation for Sabah this year, but it doesn’t involve several other matters.
“The overall management and development allocation is RM16 billion, I’ve read and examined it... don’t politicise the matter, if you want more, discuss it properly,” Anwar said.
During the recent Himpunan Perdana Rakyat Keadilan Sabah event, Anwar said the RM16 billion allocation is the overall expenditure for Sabah and it includes management expenditure for the salaries of Federal civil servants in Sabah.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
