Getting what’s due – five times more
Published on: Monday, February 21, 2022
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A FIVE-decade fight on claims due to the Sabah State Government is finally over - thanks to a “cordial and sensible” discussion between the state and the Federal Finance Ministry recently.Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili disclosed that both the Federal and State finance ministries have briefed their respective Cabinet on Feb 16 on the outcomes of the consultation reached during the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting on the review of annual grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution between the Federal and State finance ministries.
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It was understood that both sides have endorsed all resolutions.
Congratulating both sides for cordial and sensible exchange, despite, on many occasions, non-compromising on each other’s legal claims and constitutional rights, Ongkili said he was especially proud of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government for their determination and hard work in getting what they deserved, despite a long five decades wait.
“The State will receive an almost five times increase in annual grants, which will be more than twice the amount promised by the then Pakatan Harapan government to the Warisan-led government.
“It proves the capability and capacity of the GRS State Government to defend Sabah’s rights and preserve good federal-state relations to ensure economic prosperity for Sabahans,” said Ongkili, who is also the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament.
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Ongkili, who was also at the meeting in Kota Kinabalu on behalf of the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63), disclosed that the new grant formula will be signed and officiated jointly by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor at the next MKMA63 meeting, which is scheduled early next month.
The JCC meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz on the Federal Government side, while Sabah Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun led the Sabah team, comprising State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, legal advisors and senior finance officers.
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Caption:
Ongkili (third left), Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (middle), his Sabah counterpart Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and others posed for the camera after the JCC meeting to discuss on Sabah’s special grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution in Kota Kinabalu.
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